A Luxembourg-based company has assumed operation of New Brunswick's virtual health-care service, the province confirmed on June 30, 2026. The transition, effective immediately, places the digital health platform under the management of an international firm, though officials did not disclose the contract value or duration.
Service details and background
The virtual health-care service provides residents with remote access to medical consultations via phone or video, aiming to reduce wait times and improve access in rural areas. Launched in 2020, the program handled over 200,000 consultations in the past year, according to government data. The previous operator was a Canadian company, but the province opted for a new provider through a competitive bidding process.
New Brunswick Health Minister John Smith said in a statement: "This partnership ensures we continue to offer high-quality virtual care while leveraging global expertise." The minister did not specify why the contract was awarded to a foreign entity, but noted that the company has experience in digital health across multiple countries.
Impact on patients and providers
Patients will not notice immediate changes, as the service remains free and accessible through the same phone number and app. However, the company plans to introduce expanded hours and multilingual support within six months. Healthcare providers involved in the service have been assured that their roles and compensation remain unchanged.
Critics have raised concerns about data privacy and the outsourcing of public health services. The province assured that all patient data will remain stored in Canada and comply with provincial privacy laws. The opposition party called for a legislative review of the contract, citing the lack of transparency.
According to a spokesperson for the company, the firm will invest $2 million in technology upgrades over the first year. The virtual health-care service is part of New Brunswick's broader strategy to digitize healthcare, which includes electronic health records and telemedicine for specialists.
