Earlier this year, SAC informed members that changes to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) would introduce a 30% co-payment for supplemental health services, including speech-language pathology services, audiology assessments and assistive devices such as hearing aids. 

SAC subsequently joined more than 40 national health organizations through HEAL (Organizations for Health Action) in calling on the federal government to reverse the co-payments. SAC also raised the issue in its 2026 federal pre-budget submission, recommending that vulnerable and underage individuals be exempt from IFHP co-payments to reduce administrative and ethical burdens on health-care providers delivering publicly funded care. 

Following these advocacy efforts, the federal government implemented changes to the IFHP that took effect on July 31, 2026. Several products and services were moved from supplemental to basic coverage and are therefore no longer subject to the 30% co-payment. Of relevance to SAC members, these changes include specified feeding supplies and respiratory equipment, as well as cochlear implants and bone-anchored hearing devices. In-hospital speech therapy is also included under the IFHP’s basic coverage. 

This is a welcome outcome for SAC members and the people they serve. 

Reference: Toronto Star Article 

The federal government released the 2026 Spring Economic Update, titled Canada Strong for All. SAC has analyzed the document to identify critical changes affecting our members and their patients, particularly regarding the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

Major Reforms to the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

The update introduces significant shifts in how communication and hearing disorders are assessed for federal support, moving toward a more diagnostic-led model for specific conditions.

New “Diagnosis-Only” Stream

For individuals with severe and permanent conditions, the government is removing the requirement to provide detailed descriptions of functional limitations. Instead, health professionals only need to confirm a formal diagnosis.

• Audiology Impact: Bilateral hearing loss (severe or profound) and profound loss in one ear, combined with severe loss in the other, now qualify for streamlined processing.
• S-LP Impact: Individuals who rely primarily on sign language or lip-reading for communication are now included in the streamlined diagnosis list.

 Expanded Certification Authority (Starting 2027)

SAC has long advocated for full recognition of the expertise of S-LPs and audiologists. We are pleased to report that the government will expand S-LPs’ authority to certify a broader range of impairments within their clinical scope, reducing wait times for patients who previously required a physician’s signature.

Value of the Credit

For the 2026 tax year, the DTC amount is indexed to $10,341. As a reminder, a valid DTC certificate is now the mandatory prerequisite for accessing the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), which became fully operational in July 2025.

Healthcare Workforce and Interdisciplinary Care

The update reaffirms federal support for the sector through several funding envelopes:

• Long-Term Care (LTC): New funding specifically earmarked for multidisciplinary teams to meet increased direct care hour targets.
• Pediatric Services: Targeted investments for integrated treatment centres, aimed at reducing backlogs for autism and developmental speech services.
• CPP Adjustments: Members should note that the CPP contribution rate will decrease to 9.5% effective January 1, 2027, offering slight relief for private practice owners and employees alike.

Member Action: What This Means for Your Practice

Members should prepare for an increase in DTC application requests following these changes.

Recent reporting by CBC highlights growing concerns about the future of Jordan’s Principle, a vital program ensuring First Nations children receive timely access to health, education, and social services-including speech-language pathology and audiology care. While Ottawa has committed $1.033 billion to maintain the program, no new funding has been announced, raising fears about sustainability and service delays.

This issue underscores the importance of SAC, specifically:

• Access to Care in Indigenous and Remote Communities: SAC calls for streamlined Jordan’s Principle reimbursement processes, increased federal investment in Indigenous-led speech and hearing health initiatives, and expanded telehealth/mobile clinics.
• Health Human Resources: Sustainable funding models are essential to recruit and retain professionals who deliver these services, particularly in more rural and remote communities.
• Early Detection and Intervention: Delays in care can have lifelong impacts on children’s development-reinforcing our push for national Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) guidelines and integration of S-LPs and audiologists in early childhood programs.

Stay informed by following SAC’s advocacy updates on this important work. The results of the Jordan’s Principle survey that was issued to members in September 2025 will be shared soon and will help in these advocacy efforts.

On August 22, SAC submitted feedback to the federal government on proposed legislation addressing interprovincial trade of goods and services, with a particular focus on the health sector. 

SAC highlighted that enabling the movement of healthcare goods, services, and professionals across provincial and territorial borders has the potential to improve access to essential communication health care, foster innovation, and make more efficient use of resources across the healthcare system. With growing demand for speech-language pathology and audiology services, SAC stressed that policies must remove unnecessary barriers to workforce mobility while safeguarding public safety and professional standards. 

SAC also recommended the national standardization of the Canadian Entry-to-Practice Exam, the simplification of interjurisdictional registration processes, stronger collaboration among regulators, and a commitment to sustainable workforce planning.  

This work aligns with SAC’s broader advocacy efforts on workforce mobility, which seek to reduce barriers for S-LPs and audiologists while ensuring strong public protection measures remain in place. SAC encourages members to stay engaged on this issue and to help amplify the message by sharing the importance of professional mobility with policymakers, colleagues, and community stakeholders. 

Learn more about the Act and consultation here.

Bill C-5 presents an opportunity to modernize labour mobility and service delivery for health professionals across Canada. By establishing a statutory framework to reduce federal barriers to interprovincial trade and labour mobility, the bill could improve access to services—particularly through virtual care—and ease cross-jurisdictional practice for regulated professionals such as speech-language pathologists and audiologists. However, its success will depend heavily on how provinces, regulators, and Indigenous rights-holders are engaged in its implementation and whether they support or oppose the changes.

Below are some of the key takeaways of the Bill:

1. A Framework for Future Change

Bill C-5 lays the foundation for reducing internal trade and labour mobility barriers across Canada. While implementation details remain limited, the legislation may signal a shift toward greater support for cross-jurisdictional practice. This could lead to improved mobility for professionals working across provincial and territorial boundaries.

2. Respect for Provincial Regulatory Authority

The bill does not override provincial jurisdiction over professional regulation. Instead, it aims to harmonize existing regulations by recognizing comparable standards across jurisdictions. This is particularly relevant in professions like speech-language pathology and audiology, where scopes of practice and credentialing requirements can differ significantly by province.

3. Potential to Expand Telehealth Access

By streamlining recognition of professional credentials, Bill C-5 could reduce administrative hurdles for clinicians providing virtual care across provincial lines. This has the potential to improve access to speech-language pathology and audiology services, especially in underserved or remote areas.

4. Indigenous Rights and Consultation

The federal government has stated that Indigenous partnership is a key component of this legislation. However, some Indigenous organizations and leaders have raised concerns that the bill may bypass the duty to consult and infringe upon territorial rights -particularly due to fast-tracking provisions tied to projects deemed in the “national interest.” These concerns have led to increased advocacy for more meaningful and transparent engagement with Indigenous communities.

SAC is monitoring the progress of this legislation and its potential implications for the professions.

April 29, 2025 

With the federal election results now confirmed and a Liberal government in power, Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) congratulates all candidates and stands ready to work with all parties to advance the priorities of our professions and the Canadians we serve. We are calling on the federal government to fulfill its healthcare commitments, including improving access to care and strengthening health workforce planning, with communication health as a key focus.  

A new mandate brings new opportunities. SAC urges the new government to prioritize federal investment for the advancement of communication health services and the integration of speech-language pathologists and audiologists into health human resource planning.  

We are dedicated to ensuring the voices of our members are heard at the national level. In the coming weeks, we will engage directly with key Ministers, Shadow Ministers, and Members of Parliament to push for stronger health and education systems that reflect the expertise of our professions and the needs of the people we serve.    

Our current federal advocacy priorities outline the key actions we’re calling on the government to take and will guide our advocacy efforts throughout this mandate.  

Thank you to all our members who used SAC’s Advocacy Toolkit and took the time to make their voices heard during this election. Your voice matters, and together, we are stronger.