The 2025 Federal Budget marks a return to fiscal restraint, emphasizing infrastructure, capital investment, workforce stabilization and new criteria for the use of health transfers. Several of the items included in the Budget create important advocacy opportunities for speech-language pathologists (S-LPs), audiologists, and communication health assistants (CHAs).
Canada Health Act Clarification: A Pivotal Policy Shift
A major development for the professions is the newly announced Canada Health Act (CHA) Services Policy, which takes effect April 1, 2026. The policy clarifies that provinces and territories must ensure public insurance coverage for “medically necessary physician-equivalent services” delivered by other regulated health professionals.
This federal interpretation, enforced through the Canada Health Transfer (CHT), provides a powerful advocacy tool for S-LPs, audiologists and CHAs to pursue provincial inclusion of essential communication, hearing, and swallowing services within publicly funded care. SAC will continue to engage with partners to ensure this policy translates into meaningful access improvements for Canadians.
Health Workforce and Credential Recognition
To address ongoing health human resource (HHR) shortages, the Budget introduces a Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Action Fund, providing $97 million over five years starting in 2026–27. This fund aims to streamline the licensing process for internationally trained professionals in healthcare and other in-demand fields.
SAC welcomes this investment but emphasizes that domestic recruitment and retention remain critical. We continue to call on the federal government to:
- expand the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program to include S-LPs and audiologists;
- invest in graduate training capacity and student placement supports; and
- prioritize S-LPs, audiologists, and CHAs in national health workforce planning efforts.
Access to Care and Equity Initiatives
Budget 2025 commits $115.7 million over four years to reduce costs for Canadians applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), a measure that will directly benefit clients, by providing compensation to professionals who are authorized to certify impairments related to speaking and hearing, such as S-LPs and audiologists.
The Budget also confirms continued funding for Jordan’s Principle through 2025–26, safeguarding access to vital services for First Nations children. SAC continues to advocate for:
- increased federal investment in Indigenous-led speech and hearing health initiatives; and
- expanded telehealth and mobile clinic programs to reach remote and underserved communities.
Research and Innovation Ecosystem
Budget 2025 reinforces Canada’s commitment to research and innovation with a $1.7 billion International Talent Attraction Strategy and $5 billion Health Infrastructure Fund, alongside targeted investments in life sciences and commercialization. These initiatives have the potential to advance evidence-based care and health system sustainability.
SAC will continue to monitor the implementation of these measures and advocate for policies that strengthen access to communication and hearing care across Canada.
