Canada: Healthcare

In Canada, biosimilar products are approved by way of a new drug submission, following Health Canada guidance first released in 2010 and significantly revised in 2016. Such guidance had, in most cases, required comparative clinical efficacy and safety trials between the biosimilar and reference product. In 2025, Health Canada consulted on a revised draft guidance document for biosimilar submissions, which notably proposed removing the requirement for comparative clinical efficacy and safety trials.

Canada's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy targets healthcare as a priority sector for AI investment, proposing $500 million in growth capital and dedicated resources to keep talent and innovation within Canadian borders. The federal government outlines specific healthcare missions, data infrastructure investments, and venture capital initiatives designed to transform Canada from an AI research leader into a commercialization powerhouse.

Au Canada, les biosimilaires sont approuvés par voie de présentations de drogues nouvelles selon les lignes directrices initialement publiées par Santé Canada en 2010...

On June 10, 2026, Québec adopted Bill 9, An Act to prevent the harmful effects of energy drinks on the health of young people (“Bill 9”), introducing a significant shift in how caffeinated energy drinks will be commercialized in the province. Bill 9 will come into force six months following assent, which is expected shortly.

Le 10 juin 2026, Québec a adopté le Projet de loi 9, Loi visant à prévenir les effets nocifs des boissons énergisantes sur la santé des jeunes (« Loi 9 »), qui introduit un changement important dans la façon dont les boissons énergisantes contenant de la caféine seront commercialisées dans la province. La Loi 9 entrera en vigueur six mois après la sanction, qui devrait être imminente.

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them

Employer Health Tax Ontario (EHT) is a critical provincial payroll tax that continues to generate significant tax audit disputes and litigation risk for Ontario employers. As businesses grow, restructure, or adopt more complex payroll and corporate arrangements, exposure to an Employer Health Tax reassessment increases materially.

Developments since then, including renewed U.S. attention to most‑favored‑nation (“MFN”) drug pricing have heightened the legal and policy concerns associated with that notice. In our view, those concerns merit renewed scrutiny.

Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In this episode, Heather welcomes Kim Long...