The Provincial Priorities Act in Alberta requires provincial entities, such as municipalities and municipal organizations, to obtain approval from the Alberta government before entering into, amending, extending, or renewing agreements with federal entities. This includes agreements related to funding, services, or other collaborations. For more context on this, please read here.

Federal programs funding provincial entities, such as the University of Alberta or local school boards, could be affected by this legislation. Potential implications for speech-language pathologists (S-LPs) and audiologists could include the following:

• Delayed Funding: Agreements for federal funding of health services may face delays due to the new approval process, which could impact resources for S-LPs and audiologists.
• Service Access Barriers: Delays or blocking of funding agreements might limit funding agreements are delayed or blocked, it could limit access to speech-language pathology and audiology services for Albertans.

If your clinic relies on any of the following funding mechanisms and experiences delays that create barriers to access, we welcome you to reach out to us at advocacy@sac-oac.ca:

• Veteran’s Affairs Canada
• Canada Social Transfer
• Official Languages in Education Program

On April 7, 2025, Premier Doug Ford announced new parliamentary assistants. They will support cabinet ministers and advance government priorities as Ontario responds to economic challenges, including potential U.S. tariffs, to protect the province’s interests and strengthen relationships with federal and international partners.

While tariffs’ impact on Ontario’s communication health sector remains unclear, SAC continues to monitor trade discussions and engage with professional associations to stay abreast of potential indirect effects stemming from broader economic policies and healthcare funding decisions.

Click here for the full list of parliamentary assistants and their responsibilities.

On Friday, March 14, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, presided over a ceremony at Rideau Hall where Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s 30th Prime Minister, alongside the members of his Ministry.

Prime Minister Carney has appointed a 24-member cabinet, a group of ministers tasked with leading the upcoming federal election campaign. Several ministers who held office under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were selected to take on new portfolios alongside a few new additions. A notable difference is the new Liberal cabinet has 18 fewer members and does not include a Deputy Prime Minister.

The government assembled by Prime Minister Carney is described as focused on addressing the country’s current crisis and tackling key issues such as the creation of higher-paying jobs, improving affordability, and enhancing national security. It was emphasized that the government will be action-driven with plans to shift away from previous policies. The Prime Minister is anticipated to call an election before the House is scheduled to reconvene on March 24.

While no announcements of specific initiatives directly targeting speech-language pathologists, and audiologists have been made, Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC) is keen on promoting the importance of increasing federal investments to expand communication health services to enhance accessibility and service delivery.

The newly sworn-in Ministers and their portfolios can be found below:

• Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada
• Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development
• François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance
• Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
• Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
• Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services
• Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
• Ginette Petitpas Taylor, President of the Treasury Board
• Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada and Quebec Lieutenant
• Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
• Kamal Khera, Minister of Health
• Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
• Rechie Valdez, Chief Government Whip
• Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Jobs and Families
• David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
• Terry Duguid, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
• Nate Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
• Rachel Bendayan, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
• Élisabeth Brière, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency
• Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
• Arielle Kayabaga, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Democratic Institutions
• Kody Blois, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Rural Economic Development
• Ali Ehsassi, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Services and Procurement

Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) is actively tracking changes to federal and provincial tariffs and their potential impact on the speech-language pathology and audiology professions.

Recent tariff measures announced by the U.S. government and subsequent retaliatory tariffs by the Canadian government may have implications for healthcare-related imports, including medical equipment and supplies. SAC is assessing how these developments could affect service delivery, professional practice, and accessibility for clients.

We are engaging with relevant stakeholders to stay informed and will keep members updated as more information becomes available. SAC remains committed to supporting our members and will continue to follow this issue closely to help them navigate any potential impacts.

As part of Speech & Hearing Month this May, Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) is creating a series of digital collateral to highlight the scope of practice and impact of speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

To bring these to life, we are looking for short, impactful patient testimonials that showcase how these professionals have helped improve lives.

We are looking for testimonials that highlight the necessity and impact of these services—whether it’s helping a child find their voice, supporting an adult in regaining communication after a stroke, or improving someone’s ability to hear and engage with the world around them.

All testimonials will be anonymous.

We encourage our members to share this with their network.

Thank you for your time and support in helping us raise awareness of the critical role these professionals play in communication health.

Share your story here.