Latest news with #MarjorieMichel
Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
Over $7.7M in Ontario-Based Platforms to Advance Open Science and Brain Health Innovation Français
Two cutting-edge platforms at CAMH and Western University aim to accelerate AI-driven brain research and global data sharing TORONTO, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - Brain Canada is pleased to announce an investment of more than $7.7 million to support two innovative research platforms based in Ontario that will drive forward brain health discovery, data sharing, and open science collaboration. Funded through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), a visionary partnership between Brain Canada and the Government of Canada, through Health Canada, these two projects will provide Canadian and international researchers with the tools and infrastructure they need to transform how brain disorders are studied, understood, and treated. "Through the Canada Brain Research Fund, the Government of Canada is pleased to support these two essential and innovative research initiatives, which will help drive new discoveries and improve care for people affected by neurological conditions," said the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health. The newly supported platforms are the Brain Health Data Challenge (BHDC) platform, led by Dr. Tristan Glatard at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and the Mesoscopic Integrated Neuroimaging Data (MIND) Platform, led by Dr. Ali Khan at Western University. "Canada is at the forefront of a global shift toward open science in brain research," said Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada. "These two platforms exemplify how we can responsibly share data, scale innovation, and build collaborative networks to unlock the full potential of neuroscience and AI." ABOUT THE PROJECTS Building Reproducible AI Frameworks for Brain Health with the Brain Health Data Challenge Platform Tristan Glatard, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) (Grant total: $4.9M) With vast amounts of brain health data now available, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how we understand, diagnose, and treat neurological conditions. However, data privacy regulations often prevent this information from being used in open AI challenges—a key method that has already accelerated innovation in fields like cancer and medical imaging. The BHDC platform will create a secure, privacy-compliant framework to enable AI competitions using Canadian brain health data. By unlocking these datasets for responsible and collaborative use, the platform will foster the development of reproducible and equitable AI models, helping clinicians tailor treatments and improve care for people living with brain disorders. "With this transformative investment from Brain Canada, CAMH is proud to lead the development of a secure and robust framework for ethical AI in mental health," said Dr. Aristotle Voineskos, SVP of Research and Science, CAMH. "The Brain Health Data Challenge will empower researchers globally to address complex brain health questions using advanced data science—while upholding the highest standards of privacy and equity. By enabling predictive, reproducible AI for serious mental illness, we move closer to better care, earlier interventions and improved quality of life." The Mesoscopic Integrated Neuroimaging Data (MIND) Platform Ali Khan, Western University (Grant total: $2.9 million) The MIND Platform combines ultra-powerful MRI and lightsheet microscopy, which enables researchers to see the brain's structure and activity in unprecedented detail. By linking images of living brains with detailed microscopy of brain tissue, scientists can gain deeper insights into how diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's progress, affect brain circuits, and can be treated. The MIND Platform builds on two internationally recognized imaging facilities at Western University to create a centralized, standardized repository for high-resolution brain tissue data. Through a user-friendly online portal, researchers around the world will be able to send brain tissue for imaging and access powerful tools to analyze the data—without requiring advanced infrastructure at every site. By adopting global data standards and a robust open science framework, the MIND Platform will fuel national and international collaboration, enabling deeper understanding of brain structure, function, and disease. "Western is internationally recognized for its strengths in neuroimaging, with a long history of innovation and collaboration," said Robert Bartha, Vice Dean of Research and Innovation at Western's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. "The MIND Platform builds on that foundation, pairing powerful imaging technologies with open science to push the boundaries of how we explore and understand the brain." Together, these platforms mark a major step forward in Canada's leadership in brain research, making it easier for scientists to share knowledge, build on each other's work, and transform brain health through open, data-driven innovation. About Brain Canada Brain Canada is a national charitable organization that enables and supports excellent, innovative, and collaborative brain research in Canada. Through the Canada Brain Research Fund, a public-private partnership with the Government of Canada through Health Canada, Brain Canada funds initiatives that advance knowledge, drive innovation, and accelerate the development of diagnostics, treatments, and cures. About the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital and a world leading research centre in this field. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental illness and addiction. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre. For more information, please visit or follow @CAMHnews on Bluesky and LinkedIn. About Western University Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community. CAMH [email protected] Western University Crystal Mackay Director, Media Relations m. 519-933-5944 e. [email protected] Brain Canada Kate Shingler, Senior Director, Strategic Communications [email protected] 514-550-8308 SOURCE Brain Canada
CBC
13 hours ago
- Health
- CBC
Federal court rules Health Canada decision to block experiential psilocybin training was unreasonable
Social Sharing The Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that Health Canada's refusal to allow exemptions for health-care workers to use psilocybin as part of their experiential training was unreasonable. Wednesday's decision was the result of an appeal of a 2022 judicial review application in a case involving 96 health-care practitioners who sought an exemption to legally use dried hallucinogenic mushrooms as part of what is known as experiential training. The initial application for exemption was filed under the name of Jeff Toth, a Nova Scotia nurse practitioner. Health Canada's refusal of the health-care workers' requests for exemptions has been sent back to Health Minister Marjorie Michel for redetermination. The mushrooms, commonly called magic mushrooms, contain psychoactive substances that are only legal for use in Canada if an exemption is granted under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Such exemptions are reserved for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, which involves medically supervised consumption of the substance for the treatment of serious medical conditions including end-of-life distress or treatment-resistant depression. Late Wednesday, the federal court ruled that Health Canada's reasons for refusing to grant exemptions to the 96 health workers training to administer psilocybin were too arbitrary. Refusal of exemptions harms patients: advocate John Gilchrist, communications director for TheraPsil, a Canadian non-profit organization that advocates for legal access to psychedelic therapy, was "elated" with this week's decision, which he called a "very long time coming." Gilchrist hopes this leads the current health minister to open up access to therapies by training more professionals who can help treat patients with debilitating migraines or depression. He says Health Canada's refusal to grant the exemptions is "harming health-care professionals and, very importantly, patients who are the most vulnerable in Canada." The Federal Court of Appeal's decision noted that Health Canada changed its position on psilocybin exemptions between 2020 and 2022 with no clear explanation. In 2020, then Health Minister Patty Hajdu granted exemptions to 19 health-care practitioners. This was reversed in 2022 under Carolyn Bennett, the then minister of mental health and addictions and the associate minister of health. "Health Canada is not aware of peer-reviewed clinical evidence to demonstrate that health-care professionals need to take a psychedelic drug in order to appreciate what the patient experiences," the ministry is quoted as saying in the federal court decision this week. But Federal Court of Appeal Justice Douglas Rennie wrote in his decision Wednesday that "nearly identical exemption requests" were granted in one case and denied arbitrarily in the other. "The Minister can't make such a significant and abrupt shift without explanation," he wrote. WATCH | Psychotherapist explains what a medical magic mushroom trip will look like: What a magic mushroom trip will look like for medical participants 1 year ago Duration 1:32 Health Canada has approved a study with 20 Londoners who suffer from PTSD to experience therapy under the influence of psilocybin, the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms. Psychotherapist Jared Dalton will oversee the therapy. He explains how it will work. Wins will open access to treatments: lawyer Ottawa lawyer Nicholas Pope says this is the latest in legal wins that will help open up access to psychedelic treatments. Pope, lawyer for the appellants, said the health-care workers were approved in 2020, then denied based on a lack of scientific evidence of efficacy. "Health Canada didn't demand that level of evidence in 2020 and now is demanding it," he said. In May 2024, a Calgary man named Jody Lance who suffers debilitating cluster headaches was the first to win a Federal Court battle forcing Health Canada to reconsider his bid for legal access to psilocybin to treat his extreme pain. His case was withdrawn after he got approval for an exemption this year. Requests to access controlled substances in special medical circumstances are filed through Health Canada's Special Access Program (SAP). Lance's initial application under the SAP to help treat his pain was denied due to lack of research into the efficacy of psilocybin to treat cluster headaches. Canadians have had limited legal access to psilocybin under the SAP since 2022. Health Canada approved 56 SAP requests in 2022, 106 in 2023 and 85 as of October 2024.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Patient Advocates File Formal Complaints from 50 Patients, Call for Urgent Action to Stop Illegal Fees in Private Clinics
TORONTO, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario Health Coalition was joined by patients from across Ontario in a press conference today as they announced that they have filed formal complaints on behalf of patients charged user fees for health care at private clinics. When the Ford government redirected resources away from public hospitals to expand private for-profit clinics the premier said, "No Ontarian will ever have to pay with a credit card. They will pay with their OHIP card." In direct contradiction of that promise, the Coalition has gathered evidence -- including proof of payment and patient reports -- from fifty patients that are included in the formal complaint. The Coalition has received more than 200 complaints over the last year. These represent only a small fraction of the number of patients who are facing charges of hundreds to thousands of dollars when they go for cataract surgery in the private clinics. Under the Canada Health Act, patients are supposed to be protected against user charges and extra-billing for medically needed surgeries, diagnostic tests and physician services. Selling queue jumping is not allowed. Patients are to have access to health care based on their medical need, not how wealthy they are. The federal government is to uphold the Act and require provinces to abide by it in order to receive full federal funding for health care. Under Ontario's laws, it is an offense for any person or entity to charge a patient for an OHIP covered service. No one can make access to needed care contingent on paying for medically unneeded things. Patients have the right to informed consent. Extra-billing, user fees, selling queue-jumping and manipulating patients into paying user fees are not allowed. The Coalition wants patients to know that everything they need for cataract surgery is covered under OHIP, including eye measurement tests, lenses that are unique to their eye, eye drops, appointments with physicians and follow up. Cataract surgery generally has very good outcomes. No one can charge a patient for cataract surgery, or the medically needed eye exams and eye drops associated with the surgery. Often patients end up paying for things that are not part of cataract surgery. Often patients are lied to about wait times in order to convince them to pay. Ontario has a wait times website that tracks the actual wait times for every part of the province. Most patients with urgent medical need are getting their cataract surgery within three-and-a-half months and those without urgent medical need are getting their surgery within seven months. The Coalition outlined the types of complaints that they have received in two separate open letters to Sylvia Jones, Ontario's Minister of Health and to Marjorie Michel, Federal Health Minister. They called on the Ford government to reimburse the patients and take action to stop the private clinics. They asked the federal government to take all action possible to enforce the Canada Health Act in Ontario where the Ford government is violating it. Quotes: 'Without question, patients – many of whom are elderly and on fixed incomes – are being exploited. They are being charged hundreds or even thousands of dollars, particularly when they go to private clinics for cataract surgeries,' said Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition. 'Patients are using up their entire savings, their grocery money, and some have even had to go back to work long after retirement, in order to pay for their surgeries. This should never happen in Canada. We are demanding that the provincial government finally take action to stop the private clinics and that the federal government enforce the Canada Health Act in Ontario where the Ford government is violating it.' Maureen Munro from London was informed that she had macular degeneration and needed eye surgery urgently or she would lose her vision. She was told that she would have to pay or face two year wait lists (which was not true). She said, 'I was informed the cost to receive the surgery would be almost $7,000. Being as I live alone, I did not want to have macular degeneration, nor lose my quality of life. Therefore, I paid the $7,000 in 2022. Being a senior on a fixed income, I am still trying to catch up with bills from this surgery.' David Kauk from Kitchener-Waterloo was charged $250 for eye measurement tests and then a week before the surgery, the surgeon told him he would have to pay $1,100 per eye. He refused to pay and had to go elsewhere. He said, 'I feel that I was misled throughout the process and was kept in the dark until the final minute.' Diana Ralph from Ottawa was told that the OHIP-covered cataract surgery was 'old fashioned' and was charged $400 for the diagnostic exam. The clinic tried to charge her $1,300 for the surgery but she did not pay and went elsewhere. She said, 'I felt offended by the dishonest and manipulative hard-sell and chose to not get the surgery at that private clinic.' Jules Tupker and his wife from Thunder Bay were each charged $225 (for a total of $550) for eye measurements when they went in to a private clinic. He said, 'I contacted the Ministry of Health to make a complaint. That was after my surgery in October. I never heard back from them.' For more information: Natalie Mehra, executive director (416) 230-6402; Alanna Kong, research and campaigns coordinator (604) in to access your portfolio
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
SEIU Healthcare Training Centre Receives $500,000 in Funding from Government of Canada to Support Internationally Educated Nurses
RICHMOND HILL, ON, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada, through the Future Skills Centre (FSC), has awarded over $500,000 in funding to accelerate the growth of the SEIU Healthcare Training Centre's Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) Career Pathway Program. 50 IENs will be trained through this investment, which reflects the union's training centre impact on solving healthcare staffing needs by supporting internationally trained nurses. The first cohort of trained nurses will have jobs secured at different employer partners, including Sienna Senior Living nursing homes. The IEN Career Pathway Program is designed to break down the systemic barriers that internationally educated nurses often face when entering the Canadian healthcare system. By offering personalized case management, financial support, and targeted training, the SEIU Healthcare Training Centre program better equips participants with the tools they need to transition smoothly into the Canadian workforce. QUOTES: "Today's investment to support internationally educated nurses in becoming fully licensed and working to their full potential is proof of what's possible when unions and governments collaborate to create meaningful solutions. With our IEN Career Pathway Program, SEIU is not only helping IENs thrive, we're strengthening Canada's healthcare system with a more inclusive and skilled workforce." – Tyler Downey, President of SEIU Healthcare "Nurses and healthcare professionals play a crucial role in keeping Canadians healthy. By facilitating the training of more nurses, we are enhancing the strength of our healthcare system. The SEIU Healthcare Training Centre is supporting internationally educated nurses through this program, ultimately ensuring that more patients receive the care they deserve." – The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Canada's Minister of Health The SEIU Healthcare Training Centre is Canada's first union-led training institution, committed to empowering healthcare workers with the education, support, and career pathways they need to thrive.
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
Government of Canada provides support for ParticipACTION to promote active lifestyles Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 16, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), on behalf of the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced $5 million in funding to support ParticipACTION's Let's Get Moving initiative for 2025-26. This initiative promotes physical activity in Canada through national awareness campaigns, community challenges, and report cards on activity levels. ParticipACTION engages Canadians online and in their communities through its Community Challenge, making it easier for everyone to be active, especially groups facing barriers to physical activity. Staying active improves both physical and mental health and reduces the risk of chronic disease. This investment underscores our commitment to healthier, more active communities across Canada. Quotes "Across Canada, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour continue to be a challenge. Being active is key for preventing chronic disease and improving overall health and well-being. This is why we partner with organizations like ParticipACTION to promote healthier and active lifestyles nationwide." The Honourable Marjorie Michel Minister of Health "Moving your body should be simple, but for too many people, it's still out of reach. Let's Get Moving is about making physical activity more accessible so more Canadians can move more, feel better and live healthier lives." The Honourable Adam van Koeverden Secretary of State (Sport) "We thank the Government of Canada for its continued commitment to supporting ParticipACTION's important work. Physical activity isn't just good for us—it's essential for a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life. It strengthens our bodies, minds, and communities. Now is the time to make physical activity a national priority and ensure that every person in Canada has the opportunity to be active every day." Elio Antunes President and CEO of ParticipACTION Quick Facts ParticipACTION is a Canadian non-profit charitable organization that has been encouraging Canadians to get healthy by making physical activity an integral part of their everyday life since 1971. Since 2018, the Let's Get Moving initiative has achieved results across its program of activities, including public education, research and community-based physical activity challenges. Last year alone, Let's Get Moving reached 568,000 participants through the Community Challenge. With this funding, this initiative is expected to deliver positive outcomes that will benefit as many people in Canada as possible, including priority populations. Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour levels remain high with only 49.2% of adults and 43.9% of children and youth meeting physical activity recommendations in Canada. SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
