B.C. sets aside $50M to expand access to nasal naloxone to prevent overdose deaths
Feb. 20, 2026 — Vancouver Sun
The B.C. government will spend $50 million to expand access to nasal naloxone across the province over two years in a bid to help prevent overdose drug deaths. Health Minister Josie Osborne made the announcement Thursday, saying nasal naloxone will be much easier for people, particularly youth, to use rather than injection naloxone, which is more difficult to use. Osborne said B.C. will be distributing thousands of nasal naloxone kits over the next two years. The kits will be available at 150 community sites, with pharmacy rollout beginning in April. READ MORE
Paramedics strike in B.C. avoided as union, province strike tentative deal
Feb. 20, 2026 — CTV News
A paramedics strike in B.C. has been narrowly avoided after the union representing more than 6,000 ambulance paramedics and emergency dispatchers reached an agreement in principle with the province following months of negotiations.The Ambulance Paramedics of BC-CUPE 873 said Friday it has a tentative deal with BC Emergency Health Services, the Health Employers Association of BC and the provincial government, days after the union voted in favour of strike action. “This is where we wanted to be,” APBC president Jason Jackson said in Friday’s statement. “Our members showed overwhelming unity with a 97 per cent strike vote, and that solidarity directly helped bring all parties together to reach a deal.” READ MORE
Canada's public drug plans shouldn't cover new Alzheimer's drug, agency says
Feb. 19, 2026 — CBC News
Public drug plans should not cover lecanemab, a drug to slow early-stage Alzheimer's disease, Canada's Drug Agency said Thursday in a draft recommendation. Lecanemab is a lab-made antibody given by intravenous infusion twice a month. It targets the buildup of amyloid plaque in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The drug is not a cure and cannot reverse the disease or restore lost memories. READ MORE
BC Halts Construction of Seven Long-Term Care Facilities
Feb. 20, 2026 — The Tyee
British Columbia is pausing construction on seven long-term care facilities as it searches for a way to reduce building costs. The pause was announced as B.C. released its annual budget on Tuesday. During question period on Wednesday, Health Minister Josie Osborne said construction was being stopped while the province searched for ways to build the beds for less than $1.8 million each, which is what it currently costs. Seven long-term care facilities in Abbotsford, Campbell River, Chilliwack, Delta, Fort St. John, Kelowna and Squamish have been put on hold indefinitely. Osborne said the projects are not cancelled. READ MORE
Annual drug toxicity deaths in B.C. dip to pre-COVID levels
Feb. 19, 2026 — Vancouver Sun
For the first time since 2020, fewer than 2,000 people died in B.C. last year due to toxic street drugs. The B.C. Coroners Service has published preliminary 2025 data that showed 1,826 died from drug overdoses, a 21 per cent decrease from the 2,315 in 2024. There were 136 suspected illicit drug deaths in B.C. in November and 141 in December, or around 4 1/2 deaths a day. Those between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 69 per cent of drug-toxicity deaths in the province last year, and 77 per cent of the deaths were among males. READ MORE
Loblaw looks to build 70 new stores in 2026, renovate 191 locations
Feb. 23, 2026 — CTV News
Loblaw Cos. Ltd. says it plans to spend $2.4 billion to expand and renovate its store network and supply chain capabilities this year as it looks to open 70 new stores. The grocery and drugstore retailer says its plan includes 34 new Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix pharmacies and care clinics and 31 No Frills and Maxi stores. The new stores will come as the company also renovates 191 stores. The parent company of Loblaws and Shoppers Drug Mart is also expected to continue work on a new automated distribution centre in Caledon, Ont. READ MORE
Manitoba's Joss Reimer is named Canada's new chief public health officer
Feb. 20, 2026 — CBC News
Health Minister Marjorie Michel has announced that the face of Manitoba's pandemic immunization efforts, Dr. Joss Reimer, will be Canada's new chief public health officer. In a social media post Friday, Michel said she looks forward to working with Reimer, whose "leadership, expertise and commitment to public health will be invaluable assets in protecting the health of Canadians." Reimer, who will take up her new role on April 1, was the medical lead and spokesperson for Manitoba's COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Taskforce and served as the medical director of public health for Winnipeg. READ MORE