Health Committee on Nov. 20th, 2025

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Thank you to all the witnesses for coming here today on this important study. Your insight is very important.

My first question is for the health department.

Budget 2025 provides $5 billion over three years for the health infrastructure fund. We have heard from witnesses that addressing the health worker shortage also requires having the physical and educational infrastructure in place.

Can you speak about how the new fund is intended to support provinces and territories in expanding and modernizing these facilities, so they can better meet the needs of Canadians?

[Jocelyne Voisin]

Thank you for the question.

The budget committed $5 billion over three years for health infrastructure. That included mention of hospitals and also medical schools. We have heard from faculties of education that they do need to upgrade their infrastructure. Obviously, provinces and territories are very happy about hearing the news of potential investments in health infrastructure.

We're still working with Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada to design the program, but there is certainly a lot of interest there. The provinces and territories are telling us that they have aging health infrastructure and they also have needs in terms of medical schools, so this will be very welcome.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

As a follow-up, this budget includes significant investment to attract international talent to Canada, including funding for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, or CIHR, to support international doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows and give support for universities to recruit international assistant professors.

Can you explain how these investments will continue to play a part so that Canada's health system becomes strong in areas like clinical education and medical research, and how they complement broader efforts to address health system capacity and workforce shortage?

[Jocelyne Voisin]

I can, absolutely.

There was a $1.7-billion investment in the budget for the attraction of international research excellence. As you noted, CIHR will be receiving some funding from that announcement. One of the key things that we want to ensure as part of that for the health sector is that the health academic research centres are also included. This means that we can attract top researchers and associate professors to those health facilities, which will bolster clinical trials and add more research and innovation in new treatments and approaches to care.

It is huge for the health system, because many of these research hospitals also have community hospitals networked with them, so they reach out into the community and have strong relationships with the primary care sector as well.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Thank you, Ms. Voisin.

The next question is for the IRCC department.

In January, the number of spaces available under the provincial nominee program was greatly reduced as the government moved to restore balance and sustainability to the immigration system. Since then, you have been able to increase spaces under the PNP as we refocus on economic migration.

How much flexibility do provinces and territories have to use the PNP to fill their health care workforce vacancies? Are they currently using their spaces this way, or could they do more?

[Louise Baird, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Department of Citizenship and Immigration]

In the most recent levels plan, as you pointed out, we did increase the number of admission spaces for provinces and territories to use through their provincial nominee programs. During our consultations, we certainly heard from provinces that they would like to see an increase. It allows them to target their economic immigration to the specific regional needs in their jurisdictions.

Certainly, we know that health care is an area that many provinces are focusing on, and they are using significant portions of their PNP to attract and bring health care workers to Canada.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

To follow up on that, I would like to know more about the IRCC regional and pilot programs that are being used to confront our health workforce challenges.

We have programs for rural and francophone communities in regions in the country, but also for workers in specific fields, including caregiving. Can you elaborate on that quickly?

[Soyoung Park]

To add to what my colleague just stated, for all regional programs—provincial nominee, Atlantic immigration, rural and northern immigration pilots—about 35% of health care admissions between 2023 and 2025 were from those programs. I just wanted to point that out.

Some of the top occupations related to nurses, dentists and general practitioners and family physicians.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

I now go to Ms. Larouche for six minutes, please.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

I will come back to the witnesses a little later, because I would like to use the first few seconds of my speaking time to make sure of one thing.

At the last committee meeting, I moved a motion to have access to the digital binder. I want to make sure I have the committee’s approval in this regard, so that my assistant and I can finally have access to it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I think if you are replacing a permanent member, then you should be able to get access to the digital binder without permission from anybody. Are you going to be permanently replacing Mr. Thériault?

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Madam Chair, I had tabled a motion to have access to the digital binder until December 31, 2025, or until a change in the list of members rendered this measure unnecessary.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You are not getting access. Is that what you're trying to say?

Can we suspend this?

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

My assistant still does not have access to it.

I tabled a motion at the last meeting, and I want it to be officially approved now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Do you want it to be officially approved by the committee? It doesn't have to be, but go ahead. I'll ask the committee.

Does everyone agree with Ms. Larouche getting the digital binder access?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Everyone nodded, Madame Larouche.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Madam Chair, what I mean is that the clerk confirmed that this was the procedure. I hope that my request will be approved and that I will now be able to put my questions to the witnesses.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Everyone approved. Everyone nodded.

Mr. Mazier, do you have a point of order?

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

You should have had access—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Mr. Mazier, I'm sorry. You are not allowed to speak across the floor, unless you are asking a question. We're in a study right now, so unless you have a point of order....

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Yes, I have a point of order. She should have had access on the day she asked for it—Tuesday.

Do you have access right now?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

That's not a point of order, Mr. Mazier.

Ms. Larouche has asked a question. We're answering it. Everyone agreed. I told her that she should be getting access.

Are you getting access, Ms. Larouche?

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

I submitted a formal motion at the last committee meeting. I now want the committee to approve my request so that my assistant and I can have access to the digital binder.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Are you getting access, though?