The federal government’s Fall Budget 2025, tabled November 5 by Prime Minister Mark Carney, brings encouraging news for Canada’s radiology community. The Canadian Association of Radiologists is pleased to see several of our key advocacy priorities reflected in this budget – clear signs that our voice is being heard in Ottawa.
From infrastructure upgrades to artificial intelligence and workforce development, Budget 2025 includes strategic investments that align with the CAR’s pre-budget recommendations and signal a commitment to strengthening diagnostic capacity across the country.
What Budget 2025 Means for Radiology
Health Infrastructure Fund
A proposed $5 billion investment over three years will support hospital and health-related infrastructure. This aligns with CAR’s call for a $2 billion investment to modernize Canada’s radiology equipment stock. It’s a strong signal that the federal government recognizes the importance of diagnostic imaging in delivering high-quality care. This is a clear win for radiology and for Canadian patients.
AI Infrastructure
The budget introduces a $925.6 million investment in sovereign public AI infrastructure. While not specific to healthcare, this complements our proposal for a $50 million investment in the Health Artificial Intelligence Validation Network (HAIVN), and reinforces the importance of safe, effective AI integration in clinical settings. HAIVN provides a national solution that supports innovation, protects patients, and enables Canadian AI companies to scale responsibly.
Workforce Development
The budget allocates $97 million over five years to establish the Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund, with a targeted focus on healthcare. This initiative aims to accelerate the integration of internationally trained professionals into the Canadian workforce: an important step toward addressing staffing shortages in radiology and other health disciplines. The fund supports CAR’s recommendation to invest in recruitment, training, and retention of imaging professionals, helping to build a stronger, more resilient radiology workforce.
Next Steps: Turning Budget Promises into Action
Following the CAR’s successful Day on the Hill advocacy efforts in October, we’ve built new relationships with key ministries, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and the Prime Minister’s Office. We’ll be working closely with these partners to understand how funds will be allocated and accessed, and to ensure radiology is prioritized in implementation plans.
Our advocacy doesn’t stop here. The CAR will continue to monitor developments, engage with federal officials, and push for clarity on timelines and funding mechanisms. Our goal is to translate these early wins into tangible improvements for radiologists and the patients they serve.
The CAR continues to advocate for our members so that the radiologists are seen more, heard more and better understood. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like a deeper dive into any of the budget items or our next steps.