GOVERNMENT
Overview
We are an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government and accountable to our Board of Directors and Members of the Corporation, which includes Canada’s 14 federal, provincial, and territorial deputy ministers of health.
We collaborate closely with government partners at both the federal and jurisdictional levels, including Canada’s provinces, territories, and Indigenous governments. These partnerships are vital for developing and implementing interoperable digital health solutions that reflect the unique needs of each jurisdiction while aligning with pan-Canadian goals.
By working with federal stakeholders, we ensure strategic alignment with national health priorities, while engagement with jurisdictional partners facilitates the tailoring of solutions to regional healthcare systems and communities.
Why We Work with Government
Collaboration with both federal and jurisdictional governments is fundamental to achieving Connected Care across Canada. The federal government establishes the overarching vision, policy framework, and funding mechanisms to advance interoperability, while jurisdictional governments bring the expertise and localized implementation needed to address the unique needs of their communities.
We serve as a critical convener, bridging the federal vision with jurisdictional execution by fostering collaboration among stakeholders and providing the tools, resources, and standards necessary for alignment. This role ensures that national interoperability standards are effectively embedded into regional healthcare systems, enabling seamless information sharing across boundaries and advancing equity in health outcomes from coast to coast to coast.
How We're Working With Government Today
In 2023, we launched the Shared pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap, developed in collaboration with federal, provincial, and territorial partners and endorsed by the Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health. This monumental initiative serves as a blueprint for enabling seamless health information exchange across Canada, fostering more efficient, effective, and patient-centered care. This effort is further reinforced by the Working Together Bilateral Health Agreements, which all provinces and territories have signed in alignment with the Roadmap’s principles.
As part of our work delivering immediate progress against the Roadmap, we are working closely with jurisdictions to address critical challenges in healthcare interoperability through efforts such as the Patient Summary initiative, which aims to improve provider access to essential patient information at the point of care, and the eReferral/eConsult initiative, which is enhancing care coordination and collaboration. Additionally, we are working to help reduce data blocking and enhance data portability, particularly in primary care, to ensure seamless information exchange between providers and systems.