Deputy Minister of Health Briefing Book: Health Portfolio Overview

Table of contents

1. Overview of the Health Portfolio Placemat
2. Health Portfolio Overview
3. Public Health Agency of Canada
4. Canadian Institutes for Health Information
5. Canadian Food Inspection Agency
6. Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

1. Overview of the Health Portfolio Placemat

Responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health.

Health Canada (HC)

Helps make Canada's population among the healthiest in the world. As a partner in health, HC protects Canadians from unsafe food, health and consumer products, supports Canada's health care system through administration of the Canada Health Act, informs Canadians so they can make healthy choices, manages risks to health, and works with partners, including provinces and territories, on priority issues.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

Promotes and protects public health in Canada by preparing for and responding to public health issues and emergencies through science, policy, programs, and partnerships. Its activities focus on the prevention of disease and injury and the promotion of physical and mental health and wellbeing for all. PHAC facilitates a national approach to public health policy and planning and serves as a central point for sharing Canada's health expertise both within Canada and with international partners.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Protects Canada and Canadians from food, plant, and animal health risks inherent in the modern environment. The overall administration of CFIA including food safety is under the Minister of Health, while supporting Canadian agriculture and agri-food businesses as they compete, innovate, and grow in domestic and global markets is under the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food.

Arm's-Length Organizations

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Canada's federal funding agency for health research. Composed of 13 institutes, CIHR collaborates with national and international partners to support discoveries and innovations that improve Canadians' health and sustain Canada's health care system. CIHR is a source of scientific evidence to inform the Government's decisions.

Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB)

Quasi-judicial body that protects consumers and contributes to health care by ensuring that the prices of patented medicines sold in Canada are not excessive. The PMPRB also informs Canadians by reporting on pharmaceutical trends.

Roles and Partners of the Health Portfolio

1. Supporting Canada's health care system

• Although health care delivery is primarily under provincial and territorial jurisdiction, the Canada Health Act (CHA) sets national standards through the use of the federal spending power.
• Health Canada administers the Act by 1) monitoring PT compliance, 2) reporting annually to Parliament, 3) recommending appropriate action to address non-compliance, and 4) interpreting the CHA as the health care system evolves.
• The Department of Finance provides Canada Health Transfer payments directly to PTs, giving them the flexibility to use the funds to meet their individual priorities.
• HC also plays a convening role in cooperation with PTs on health system improvements and innovation.

2. Enabling access to safe and effective health products

• Assessing, regulating, and enforcing compliance of health products to ensure their safety, effectiveness and quality (e.g., regulatory oversight of drugs, medical devices, and natural health products) is a key HC responsibility.
• HC also supports regulatory regimes to increase timely access to safe and effective treatment options for Canadians.
• HC helps prevent and mitigate health product shortages.
• HC is also responsible for monitoring health product safety and communicating to Canadians.

3. Managing risks to health

• Managing food-related health risks through regulations (HC), surveillance (PHAC and CFIA), and enforcement (CFIA).
• HC sets health and safety standards and regulates a variety of products through pre- and/or post-market risk assessments based on level of risk.
• HC implements comprehensive approaches to minimize the health risks associated with legal and illegal substances (e.g., overseeing the legal cannabis framework).
• Reducing environmental risks, including regulating pest control products (HC).

4. Supporting Canadians in making safe and healthy choices

• Promoting healthy behaviours and practices to improve health through public education and awareness initiatives (HC and PHAC).
• Supporting Canadians in making better food choices, such as through the Canada Food Guide (HC).
• Informing and engaging Canadians on health and safety (HC, PHAC, CFIA).

5. Supporting health research and science

• Funding research that generates new knowledge, improves health or health services, informs decision-making and supports health innovation (CIHR).
• Investing in knowledge mobilization and the dissemination of research evidence and data to improve health of Canadians (CIHR).
• Strengthening surveillance, risk analysis and risk intelligence research and public education on chronic and emerging infectious diseases including zoonotic diseases (PHAC).
• Improving diagnostic, risk identification and analysis, and scientific capacity through national labs, to detect serious and emerging diseases (HC, PHAC, CIHR).
• Building research capacity in under-developed areas, and training the next generation of health researchers (CIHR).

6. Responding to public health emergencies

• Developing health security measures and preparing for and responding to health emergencies, including managing the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile (PHAC).
• Responding to the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance, leading the federal nuclear emergency plan – coordinating government response to a radiological or nuclear emergency —and responding to foodborne illness outbreaks (HC, PHAC and CFIA).
• Investing in research on prevention, response and preparedness (HC, PHAC, CFIA, CIHR).

Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Partners

• PTs are responsible for the management, organization and delivery of health care services for their residents.
• FPT governments collaborate to advance crucial health priorities for Canadians.

Indigenous Partners

• The Heath Portfolio engages with First Nations, Inuit and Métis to improve health outcomes and work to address inequities experienced by Indigenous peoples.

Federal Government Departments

• The Health Portfolio works with other government departments and agencies (e.g., Indigenous Services Canada; Public Safety, Environment and Climate Change Canada; Employment and Social Development Canada, Department of National Defence).

Health Stakeholders

• Work with health stakeholders, including professional associations, regulatory bodies, standards development organizations, the research community, patient groups, communities with a stake in public health, risk communicators and industry to ensure responsive approaches to Canadians' health needs.

International Partners

• Engage internationally to protect and advance Canadian health interests.
• Participate in multilateral fora, particularly the World Health Organization, World Organization for Animal Health, and Food and Agriculture Organization.
• Foster bilateral relationships with important partners.
• Partner on health research that affects Canadians and the global community, and position Canadian researchers as leaders.

2. Health Portfolio Overview

The Health Portfolio is responsible for maintaining and improving the health of Canadians.

The Health Portfolio consists of:

• Health Canada;
• Public Health Agency of Canada;
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency;
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research; and
• Patented Medicine Prices Review Board.

There are approximately 18,000 employees and an annual budget of over $13 billion working to help Canadians maintain and improve their health.

Health Portfolio's Role

The Health Portfolio consists of five science-based organizations, each playing a unique and important role in the health and safety of Canadians.

The Health Portfolio's main activities include:

• Supporting Canada's health care system, including administering the Canada Health Act;
• Enabling access to quality, safe and effective health products;
• Managing risks to health;
• Supporting the health and wellbeing of Canadians and promoting safe and healthy choices;
• Responding to public health emergencies; and
• Supporting health research and science.

Under Your Direct Purview

• Health Canada (HC)
• Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Arm's Length Organizations

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
• Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB)

Health Portfolio Mandates

Health Canada

• Supports the public health care system, expands access to health services, helps to reduce health risks, and supports Canadians in making informed health decisions.
• Total Authorities (based on 2025-26 main estimates): $12,318M and 9,129 FTEs.

Public Health Agency of Canada

• Improve the health of all people in Canada through prevention, health promotion, and managing and responding to public health emergencies.
• Total authorities (based on 2025-26 main estimates): $1,942M and 3,081 FTEs.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

• Dedicated to safeguarding food, animals and plants, which enhances the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment and economy.
• Total authorities (based on 2025-26 main estimates): $917M and 6,653 FTEs

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

• To excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system.
• Total authorities (based on 2025-26 main estimates): $1,375.0M and 544 FTEs.

Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

• Protects and informs Canadian consumers by reviewing the prices of patented medicines sold in Canada, and by reporting on pharmaceutical trends.
• Total authorities (based on 2025-26 main estimates): $18.13M and 81 FTEs.

A. Supporting Canada's Health Care System

Administering the Canada Health Act:

• Health Canada administers the Canada Health Act (CHA) by monitoring PT compliance, reporting annually to Parliament, recommending appropriate action to address non-compliance, and interpreting the CHA as the health system evolves.

Convening Partners:

• Health Canada also acts as a national convenor helping to bring together key health care partners, researchers, and experts to facilitate and advance work on emerging health issues and improve outcomes in areas where there is a strong public interest and need for national approaches for national approaches and conversations on key and emerging issues and innovations.
  • Shared priorities include expanding access to family health services, supporting the health workforce, access to mental health and substance use services, modernizing the health care system (e.g., digital health).
  • Budget 2025 tasked Minister of Health and the Minister of National Defence, in collaboration with the Minister of Indigenous Services and the Minister of Northern Affairs and Arctic Affairs to undertake a comprehensive assessment to improve access to health care in the Arctic and the North.

Canada Health Act:

• If the provinces and territories fulfill the Canada Health Act's 5 criteria (public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability, and accessibility) and 2 conditions (information, recognition), and ensure there is no extra billing and user charges for insured health services, they are entitled to their full Canada Health Transfer.

Funding:

• The Canada Health Transfer (CHT) is the largest federal transfer to provinces and territories ($54.7 billion cash in 2025-26). Budget 2025 guaranteed 5% CHT growth until 2027-28, after which it will grow in line with a three-year moving average of nominal GDP growth, with funding guaranteed to grow by at least 3% per year.
• The federal government also provides targeted funding to PTs through bilateral agreements, in priority areas such as primary care, mental health, home care and long-term care (Health Canada).
• The government allocates significant direct funding for health care through its responsibility for health protection and promotion including regulation, public health, research, and delivery of health care to specific groups, such as Indigenous peoples and veterans (PHAC, CIHR, Indigenous Services Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada).
• Further assistance is provided to individuals and businesses through the federal tax system and other federal programs and initiatives, including the Canadian Dental Care Plan and Pharmacare (Health Canada).
• To drive progress on cross-cutting health care priorities, the department also invests in Pan-Canadian Health Organizations and manages grants and contributions programs to support health care and public health innovation and priorities.

Oral Health:

• The Canadian Dental Care Plan is helping make cost of dental care more affordable for eligible Canadian residents. Since its launch, 5.9 million seniors, children and adults with disabilities have enrolled in the CDCP and, as of Nov 2025, 3.5 million members have already received care. The Oral Health Fund aims to expand access to oral health care by supporting projects that reduce or remove non-financial barriers to accessing oral health care for targeted populations.

B. Enabling Access to Safe and Effective Health Products

• Assessing, regulating, and enforcing compliance of health products to ensure their safety, effectiveness, and quality (e.g., regulatory oversight of drugs, medical devices, and natural health products).
• Modernizing regulatory regimes to increase timely access to safe and effective treatment options for Canadians.
• Help prevent and mitigate health product shortages.
• Monitoring health product safety and adverse events arising from use and communicating risks to Canadians.
• HC and PHAC issued a report on red tape reduction initiatives in September 2025 and identified 42 initiatives to reduce red tape.

Health Canada regulates:

• More than 14,000 prescription and non-prescription drugs;
• More than 1,500 veterinary drugs and over 3,000 low-risk veterinary health products;
• More than 190,000 natural health products;​ and
• More than 35,000 medical devices.

PHAC regulates:

• More than 1,000 active licences for facilities that handle human pathogens and toxins.

CFIA conducts:

• Approximately 2,837 food safety investigations and an average of 150 recall incidents and 241 total recalls each year.

Regulatory Oversight Process

Pre-market to Post-market

• Pre-clinical trials
• Clinical trials
• Regulatory product submission
• Submission review
• Market authorization decision
• Public access
• Safety, monitoring, surveillance, inspection, compliance, verification, enforcement

C. Managing Risks to Health

• Managing food-related health risks through effective food safety regulations, surveillance, and enforcement.
• Assessing and managing the health risks of consumer products and cosmetics.
• Implementing comprehensive approaches to minimize the health risks associated with legal and illegal substances (e.g., overseeing the legal cannabis framework).
• Reducing environmental health risks (e.g., lead in paint, exposure to radiation sources).
• Regulating pest control products.
• Conducting integrated public health threat and risk assessments, supported by early warning systems.

Health Portfolio's Role in Ensuring Food Safety

Municipal, provincial and territorial agencies

• Primary health responsibility; monitoring outbreaks, interventions.

CFIA

• Regulatory compliance and enforcement; food safety investigations; risk assessment; recall warnings; effectiveness checks.

PHAC

• Monitoring outbreaks, interventions; investigations related to human health; laboratory tests; coordination and communication.

Health Canada

• Develops policies and standards; conducts health risk assessments.

Chemical Management Plan: Thematic Work Areas

• Theme 1 – chemical risk assessments
• Theme 2 – chemical risk management, compliance promotion and enforcement
• Theme 3 – science based decision making
• Theme 4 – collaboration, outreach and engagement

D. Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of Canadians and Promoting Safe and Healthy Choices

• Promoting the health and well-being of Canadians by addressing risk factors and underlying determinants of health and health inequities.
• Promoting healthy behaviours and practices to improve physical health, and protecting and improving mental health (e.g., 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline).
• Analysing data and sharing public health guidance on chronic diseases and health behaviours to inform public health action.
• Supporting Canadians in making better food choices, including through front-of-package labelling.
• Informing and engaging Canadians by being a trusted source of information on health and safety.

A social determinants of health approach to improve health:

• An individual's health is determined by the social determinants of health – a broad range of personal, social, economic and environmental factors – such as income, housing, education, physical environment, gender and culture.
• The Health Portfolio takes a comprehensive approach to help Canadians make safe and healthy choices. For example, the Health Portfolio worked to ensure the needs of at-risk populations were considered and incorporated in pandemic responses.

E. Responding to Public Health Emergencies

• Developing health security measures and preparing for and responding to health emergencies (e.g., overdose crisis, natural and human-induced disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and pandemics), including managing the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile.
• Ensuring 24/7 readiness for a coordinated and integrated response with the Health Portfolio Operations Centre.
• Supporting border and travel health.
• Providing domestic and international health security leadership.
• Protecting against vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Responding to the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance, leading the federal nuclear emergency plan – coordinating government response to a radiological or nuclear emergency – and responding to a foodborne illness outbreak.
• Investing in academic research on prevention, response, preparedness and recovery, and strengthening international collaboration (e.g., CIHR Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies, Canada's Biomanufacturing and Life Science Strategy, Health Emergency Readiness Canada).

The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML)

• The NML works with public health partners in Canada and internationally to prevent the spread of infectious disease. It is the only "Level 4 Lab" in Canada, meaning it is able to work with the world's most dangerous pathogens.
• The NML enables informed public health action through the delivery of innovative approaches to advance laboratory science, testing services, lab-based surveillance, outbreak response and national public health laboratory leadership.

Canada's Border Plan: Health Canada plays a critical role in supporting Canadian law and border enforcement in their activities to counter the global synthetic drug threat, including fentanyl. Canada's $1.3 billion Border Plan includes:

• Creating a Canadian Drug Analysis Centre;
• A new Precursor Risk Management Unit, and
• Strengthen regulatory oversight for precursor chemicals.

F. Supporting Health Research and Science

• Funding research that generates new knowledge, improves health or health services, informs decision-making and supports health innovation.
• Funding National Collaborating Centres that promote the use of evidence by public health practitioners and policy makers.
• Strengthening surveillance, evidence and public education on chronic and infectious disease.

CIHR and Research

• The primary research arm of the Health Portfolio is CIHR, which invests over $1.4 billion annually to support world-class research conducted in Canadian post-secondary institutions and their affiliated hospitals and research institutes.
• CIHR is comprised of 13 research institutes dedicated to exploring a range of health topics (e.g., aging, cancer, genetics, infection and immunity, Indigenous peoples' health etc.).
• Budget 2024 proposed significant investments to bolster research in Canada, including investments in core grant funding, scholarships and fellowships and Indigenous participation in research.

Health Research

• Budget 2025 announced $1 billion investment that will provide Canadian institutions the opportunity to recruit top-tier international researchers with expertise in key areas that address emerging global and national challenges.
• An additional $120 million over 12 years is also being invested to help institutions attract internationally based early career researchers.
• In addition, Budget 2025 reaffirmed government's commitment to implement a capstone research organization to modernize Canada's federal health research ecosystem.

Our investments help fund research across four primary pillars:

• Biomedical research – understanding how the body works to better prevent, diagnose, and treat disease.
• Clinical research – exploring how to improve patient care and overall quality of life.
• Health services research – finding ways to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of our health care system.
• Social, cultural, environmental and population health research – understanding how social, cultural and environmental factors affect our health.

Advancing Digital Health & Health Data

• As part of the GC's Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians plan, FPT governments (except Quebec) committed to work on 5 key health data commitments to modernize the health care system with standardized health data and digital tools.
• Working collaboratively with provinces and territories, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada have adopted a health portfolio approach to providing federal leadership in addressing national data challenges.
• The FPT Action Plan on Health Data and Digital Health acts as Canada's roadmap towards health data modernization, outlining actions within a defined Pan-Canadian governance structure for the management of health data.
  • Collecting and sharing high-quality and comparable information to improve health care for Canadians.
  • Adopting common interoperability standards to better connect Canada's healthcare system.
  • Implementing aligned provincial and territorial policies and legislative frameworks to support health data sharing for the public good.
  • Advancing shared principles outlined in the health data charter for the management of health data.
  • Collecting and sharing public health data to support Canada's preparedness and response to public health events.

Partnerships and Collaboration

Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT)

• At the federal level, the Health Portfolio works collaboratively with other government departments and agencies (e.g., work with Public Safety on illegal drug use and supply).
• PTs are responsible for the management, organization and delivery of health care services for their residents.
• Ongoing FPT collaboration is maintained through well-developed formal structures including:
  • FPT Health Ministers' meeting;
  • Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health;
  • Pan-Canadian Public Health Network; and
  • Collaborative work with FPT partners through engagement and leadership on several committees.
• The October 2025 Health Ministers' meeting discussed issues related to the Canada Health Act, health workforce, digital health and health data, mental health and addiction services, pharmaceuticals management, and public health.

Indigenous Organizations and Governments

• Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) funds or directly provides services for First Nations and Inuit that supplement PT services.
• Engagement by the Health Portfolio is often done in collaboration with other federal departments, such as ISC and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
• The Health Portfolio works with other Indigenous health system partners to close gaps in health outcomes and address systemic barriers to accessing safe and equitable health services (e.g., Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, First Nations Health Authority).
• The Portfolio also contributes to whole-of-government efforts to advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples by implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and supporting the federal response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

International Partners

• You will typically engage multilaterally by leading Canada's delegation at international and political fora, and bilaterally with key counterparts from other countries or regional partners:
  • World Health Organization;
  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; and
  • G7 and G20 Health Ministers
• You will also engage with counterparts from other countries or regions to advance bilateral collaboration on health issues of common concern.
• The United States is a key bilateral partner, given joint regulatory work and inter-connected supply chain.
• Health Canada shared information and expertise with international regulatory counterparts to support the review and post-market monitoring of COVID-19 health products.

3. Public Health Agency of Canada

PHAC's Mission

• Improve the health of all people and communities in Canada through science, innovation, effective service delivery, and collaborative action.
• PHAC works within the Health Portfolio and focuses on responding to public health threats, emergency management, preventing disease and injuries, promoting good physical and mental health, and scientific research to support public health action.
• The agency was established in 2004 in response to SARS through the Public Health Agency of Canada Act (S.C. 2006). PHAC is led by a President (Deputy Head) and supported by a Chief Public Health Officer of Canada (CPHO).
• Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, communities and individuals.

Our Work

• Prepare for and respond to public health emergencies.
• Prevent and control chronic diseases and injuries.
• Promote health and well-being.
• Prevent and control infectious diseases.
• Drive national approaches to public health guiding policy and planning.
• Strengthen public health collaboration between governments and jurisdictions.
• Apply research and development to Canada's public health programs.
• International partnerships to advance Canada's public health priorities.

Federal Government Public Health Levers

• Legislation and regulation
• Leadership and convening power
• Research, laboratory science, policy
• Development, engagement and advice surveillance, and monitoring
• Public awareness and engagement
• Program and service delivery
• Funding

Key Capability: Emergency and National Security Response

• PHAC operates 24/7 as an all-hazard hub, triaging urgent public health events and providing continuous, real-time reporting to enhance situational awareness and decision-making.

Coordinating Canada's National Response

• Providing early warning detection, epidemiological, diagnostic and other scientific and technical leadership and support.
• Communicating risk and public health advice to the public.
• Liaising with domestic and international partners (e.g., CDC, Five Eyes).
• Leading Canada's border and travel health measures.
• Developing national public health guidance.
• Leveraging expert science and public health advice.
• Providing subject-matter expertise and surge support to public health and health system partners.

How We Work: Science is Key

Core scientific functions:

• Producing evidence through science including surveillance of population health, targeted research studies or risk assessments, and innovations in diagnostic and reference testing.
• Partnering in science through research collaboration, knowledge mobilization activities, and infrastructure support. This includes defining national science priorities that are internationally grounded, fostering dialogue to enhance connections and build trust, and strengthening partnerships across jurisdictions, sectors, and with communities, First Nations, Inuit, Métis and modern treaty organizations.
• Promoting and using science through accessible communication and openly sharing scientific data, publications, and reports and by integrating science and scientists into decision-making processes.
• Providing regulatory frameworks for science through a modernized legislated role for human pathogens and toxins, biosafety, and biosecurity.

Public Health Science

• Encompasses all science, including biomedical, social and behavioural science, Indigenous knowledges etc. We use science and innovation to provide credible information on infectious and chronic diseases, as well as healthy behaviours.

Laboratories

• Laboratories in Winnipeg, Guelph and St. Hyacinthe generate scientific knowledge, provide national leadership in emergency preparedness and response and are also responsible for basic and applied research, laboratory-based surveillance and innovative approaches to reference testing and diagnostics.

Innovative tools

• Such as wastewater monitoring and GPHIN support early warning capabilities and monitor variants of public health interest and concern.

Technologies

• Embracing new technologies (e.g., genomics, modeling, sources of information, data sharing and interoperability) are essential to supporting future responses.

Public Health Agency of Canada's Core Responsibilities

Health Security

• Prepare for and respond to public health events and emergencies (e.g., floods, forest fires, and outbreaks such as COVID-19); address health and safety risks associated with the use of pathogens and toxins; and address travel-related public health risks.

Infectious Disease Prevention and Control

• Protect Canadians from infectious diseases by predicting, detecting, assessing, and responding to outbreaks and new threats; and contribute to the prevention, control, and reduction of the spread of infectious disease among Canadians.

Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention

• Promote the health and well-being of Canadians of all ages by conducting surveillance and public health research and supporting community-based projects which address the root causes of health inequities and the common risk and protective factors that are important to promoting better health and preventing chronic disease.

PHAC's Roles

Health Security

Public health events and emergencies are prepared for and responded to effectively.

• Preparing Canada to respond to public health events.
• Providing global leadership in health (e.g. working with the WHO, advancing bilateral collaborations).
• Maintaining a National Emergency Strategic Stockpile of essential medical supplies.

Public health risks associated with the use of pathogens and toxins are reduced.

• Monitoring and strengthening compliance of safety provisions for human pathogens and toxins by modernizing Canada's biosecurity oversight framework through the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act.
• Advancing global health security priorities in biosafety and biosecurity as a designated WHO Collaborating Centre for Biosafety and Biosecurity.

Public health risks associated with travel are reduced.

• Limiting public health risks at ports of entry.
• Mitigating public health risks on federally regulated conveyances.
• PHAC serves as the national focal point for Canada's obligations under the WHO International Health Regulations.

Infectious Disease Prevention and Control

Infectious diseases are prevented and controlled.

• Protecting Canadians from infectious diseases by increasing vaccination rates.
• Reducing the health impacts of sexually transmitted and blood-borne Infections (STBBIs).
• Reducing the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
• Modernizing public health data and increasing data availability.
• Advancing work to mitigate the impacts of climate change, including climate-sensitive infectious diseases.
• Advancing public health research through collaboration on public health data systems and interoperability.

Infectious disease outbreaks are prepared for and responded to effectively.

• Reducing the impact of foodborne illness outbreaks.
• Supporting disease surveillance operations and data infrastructure.
• Leveraging scientific and laboratory innovation and leadership.
• Providing leadership and increasing public trust.
• Reducing the incidence of tuberculosis while addressing its impact.
• Identifying and responding to infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics.
• Preparing for outbreaks and pandemics of infectious diseases.

Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention

Canadians have improved physical and mental health.

• Fostering positive early development and stronger beginnings for Canadians.
• Investing in Indigenous early learning and childcare.
• Supporting the mental health of Canadians.
• Strengthening suicide prevention measures (e.g., 988: Suicide Crisis Helpline).
• Supporting those affected by dementia and advancing prevention efforts.
• Supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their families and caregivers.
• Preventing and addressing family violence.

Canadians have improved health behaviours

• Promoting physical activity for all Canadians.
• Improving the understanding and reducing social and health harms of substance use

Chronic diseases are prevented

• Helping Canadians prevent diabetes
• Encouraging healthy living behaviours that prevent chronic diseases

A Changing Public Health Environment

Climate Change

• The average annual temperature in Canada has increased by 1.7°C since 1948, which is approximately twice the global rate, linked to pre-mature deaths, economic impacts and climate-related illnesses.
• Climate change led to a more than a 17-fold increase in Lyme disease (2009 and 2019).
• The 2023 wildfire season was the worst fire season in Canadian history with over 15M hectares burned. This is more than double the previous record and six times more than the 10-year season average.
• Each year in Canada, 15,300 premature deaths and health impacts valued at $114 billion are linked to current levels of air pollution.

Population Health

• The country's life expectancy has been decreasing over the past three years for the first time in decades due to the opioid crisis.
• Mental health is declining, costing $50B/year in health care & productivity.
• From 2015 to 2021, the proportion of Canadians meeting physical activity & nutrition guidelines declined from 56.9% to 53.9%.
• The senior population (65+) is growing and over one-third experience two or more chronic conditions, contributing to declining life expectancy.
• Almost half of Canadians live with chronic disease (2021).

Public Health Emergencies

• The probability of observing pandemics, like COVID-19 in a lifetime is 38%. This figure could double to 76%, fueled by trends in globalization, inter-regional travel, urbanization and climate.
• Historical evidence suggests that influenza pandemics occur three to four times per century. We are currently monitoring the current avian influenza A (H5N1) situation in Canada and globally.
• Since 2011, there have been over 1200 outbreaks of epidemic-prone diseases in 188 countries.
• Increase in emergency frequency and intensity requires a whole-of-government approach, intersectoral collaboration and a focus on resilience to prevent, mitigate, and prepare.

Vaccination and Re-emerging Diseases

• Inequity in access to vaccination contributes to disparities in vaccine coverage. In 2021, children at 2 years of age who lived in remote areas had lower overall vaccine coverage for routine vaccinations than those living in less remote locations.
• Misinformation can undermine vaccination efforts, leading to lower vaccine coverage, posing risks to individuals and communities.
• Canada is seeing an increase in measles activity compared to 2023, with 636 cases of measles reported across 6 provinces in Canada as of March 28, 2025.

Socio-economic Factors

• High housing costs, rising food insecurity and increasing climate-related emergencies are creating greater health inequalities.
• In 2022, 18% of Canadian families reported experiencing food insecurity in the past 12 months.
• The global movement patterns of people is impacting public health influenced by economic, health, social, and environmental factors.
• For example, people born outside of Canada account for 74.5% of active cases of tuberculosis in Canada.

Supporting Public Health Partnerships

• As a convenor and leader, PHAC serves as a central point for sharing data and expertise, developing standards and guidelines, and coordinating emergency preparedness and responses to national and international public health threats and emergencies.
• Federal actions are distinct from and complementary to provincial and territorial (PT) activities; provide added value to Canadians; focus on areas needing national leadership; spark innovation; and achieve economies of scale. PTs in Canada have widely varying capabilities.
• PHAC partners and stakeholders include:
  • Health professionals: provide guidance, share information and collaborate to inform public health policies and actions (e.g., academia, non-profit, private sector, local associations);
  • Industry: research and development, innovation, and procurement of vaccines, therapeutics and health equipment;
  • International partners: engage on Canadian health interests, research, and prevent the spread of infectious diseases (e.g., PHAC's National Microbiology Laboratory); and
  • Individuals: participate/volunteer in community health programs, advocate and raise awareness about health issues, including sharing their lived experiences, make informed decisions about personal health and share knowledge and support to others in their community.

Roles and Responsibilities of FPT Governments

Federal Government

• Intervene in emergencies or domestic events and areas of national interest
• Prevent importation of infectious diseases at the border
• Regulate facilities working with pathogens and toxins
• Serve as Canada's point for international engagement

Provinces/Territories

• Immunization campaigns
• Local public health surveillance and reporting
• Local public health delivery

Federal/Provincial/Territorial

• Chronic and infectious disease prevention and control
• Health promotion
• Surveillance and population health assessment
• Emergency preparedness and response
• Funding and conducting research and innovation initiatives

Post-pandemic lessons learned point to an opportunity to more clearly define federal roles and responsibilities in supporting PTs during future public health crises.

Major milestones in Public Health (2004-2024)

Public health emergencies are becoming more frequent and complex. PHAC's ability to rapidly mobilize and respond will be critical.

• 2003 – SARS outbreak
• 2004 – Public Health Agency of Canada established
• 2005 – Pan-Canadian Public Health Network established
• 2007 – Health Infobase launched
• 2008 – Listeriosis outbreak response
• 2009 – H1N1 influenza pandemic response
• 2013 – MERS CoV outbreak response
• 2013 to 2014 – Ebola outbreak in West Africa: key role in developing vaccine
• 2015 – PHAC support resettlement of Syrian refugees
• 2016 – Zika outbreak response
• 2017 – Onset and response to the epidemic of opioid overdoses
• 2019 – Canada's Dementia Strategy released
• 2020 to 2023 – COVID-19 pandemic response
• 2021 – Support resettlement of Afghan and Ukrainian refugees
• 2022 – Mpox outbreak in Canada response
• 2023 – 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Help Line established
• 2024 – HPAI (Highly pathogenic Avian influenza) response
• 2024 – Launch of Youth Substance Use Prevention Program

PHAC Organizational Structure

• Nancy Hamzawi, President
• Dr. Natasha Crowcroft, Interim Chief Public Health Officer
• Stephen Bent, Vice President Regulatory Operations and Emergency Management Branch (ROEMB)
• Kerry Robinson, Interim Vice President Infectious Diseases and Vaccination Programs Branch (IDVPB)
• Michael Collins, Vice President Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch (HPCDPB)
• Dr. Jason Kindrachuk, Vice President National Microbiology Laboratory Branch (NMLB)
• Rod Greenough, Vice President Corporate Management and Chief Financial Officer and Branch (CFOCMB)
• Dr. Sarah Viehbeck, Vice President and Chief Science Officer Science and Policy Integration Branch (SPIB)

Shared Services Supported by Health Canada

• Ryan Higgs, Chief Financial Officer Accounting Operations and Material Management
• Sylvie Richard, Ombuds and Executive Director Centre for Ombuds and Resolution
• Shaifa Kanji, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer Digital Transformation Branch
• Cathy Allison, Assistant Deputy Minister Communications and Public Affairs Branch
• Todd Cain, Assistant Deputy Minister Corporate Services Branch
• Francois Nadeau, Executive Director and Senior General Counsel Legal Services
• Christine Harmston, Director General Office of International Affairs for the Health Portfolio

Annex A: FPT Collaboration

Public health in Canada is a shared responsibility between the federal government and PTs. To advance collaboration for shared FPT public health priorities, PHAC:

• Convenes and leads the Pan-Canadian Public Health Network (PHN), co-led by the CPHO, and serves as the governance structure for collaboration between senior public health officials including Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health (CCMOH) and PHN steering committees.
• Convenes and supports strategic and technical tables that address a wide range of public health issues, including the Canadian Immunization Committee, the FPT Steering Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance, FPT Coordinating Committee on Dementia, and the FPT Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation (SPAR) tables (together with Sport Canada).
• Fosters collaboration and senior public health decision-making and public health perspectives on health system business at the Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health (CDMH) and FPT Health Ministers Meetings (HMM), working with and convened by Health Canada.
• Seeks to help reconcile jurisdictional differences by building regional public health capacity, mobilizing knowledge and intelligence and leading on regional Indigenous relations.
• Fosters relationships with provincial medical officers of health, Indigenous partners, and additional key stakeholders who also shape the FPT health system and public health landscape.

Annex B: PHAC's Regulatory Role

PHAC oversees the safe handling, use, and storage of human pathogens and toxins by all labs and health facilities and has authority to help prevent or slow the spread of infectious diseases across borders.

Human Pathogens and Toxins Act

• The purpose of this Act is to establish a safety and security regime to protect the health and safety of the public against the risks posed by human pathogens and toxins.
• The HPTA was enacted in 2009 to improve biosafety and biosecurity measures following concerns about potential biosecurity risks and mishandling of pathogens.
• PHAC administers and enforces the HPTA and Regulations. The authorities establish a national safety regime to protect public health from mishandling pathogens and toxins, giving the Minister of Health the power to set handling requirements, issue licenses, grant security clearances, designate inspectors, update regulations, and make interim orders for urgent public health threats.

Quarantine Act

• The Act aims to protect public health by preventing the spread of communicable diseases. It grants the Minister of Health authority to establish quarantine, designate officers, and implement measures for international travelers, conveyances, and cargo to control the spread of diseases that pose a significant public health risk.
• The Quarantine Act, amended in 2005, was created to strengthen Canada's ability to prevent the spread of infectious diseases across its borders.
• PHAC has authorities including monitoring travellers, imposing quarantine orders, and ensuring public health safety during outbreaks. The Minister of Health has the authority to regulate entry of people and goods, designate inspectors, and implement urgent public health measures to control disease transmission.

Financial Overview 2025-2026

Budget by Core Responsibility

• Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention $450M (21%); 651 FTEs
• Health Security $350M (16%); 582 FTEs
• Infectious Disease Prevention and Control $1,031M (53%); 1,303 FTEs
• Internal Services $202M (10%); 545 FTEs

Budget by Vote

• Vote 1 Operating $1,451M (75%)
• Vote 5 Capital $34M (2%)
• Vote 10 Transfer Payments (Grants & Contributions) $392M (20%)
• Statutory $66M (3%)

Total 2025-26 resources: 3,081 FTEs and budget of approximately $1,942M. With the conclusion of the workforce adjustment process, FTE resources will be reduced to 2,865 in FY2026-27. The agency's financial overview going forward will account for pending funding decisions related to the sunsetter renewals, as well as Comprehensive Expenditure Review decisions.

4. Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

CIHR Overview

• As Canada's federal funding agency for health research and member of the Health Portfolio, CIHR is using the power of research to improve the health of Canadians, solve health challenges and make our health care system more efficient and effective.
• Working with international and domestic partners to set research priorities and support health research, CIHR is investing in world-class research conducted in Canadian post-secondary institutions and their affiliated hospitals and research institutes.

CIHR Mandate

As stated in the CIHR Act (2000), the objective of CIHR is to "excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system".

A Brief Overview of CIHR

• Invests over $1.4 billion annually to support over 16,000 world-class researchers and trainees.
• Funds the creation of new knowledge, builds research capacity, and promotes the dissemination of research results in order to improve the health of Canadians and make our health care system more efficient.
• Plays a catalyst role in collaborating with international and domestic partners, including the other federal research granting agencies (i.e., the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council) to support and mobilize Canada's research enterprise.
• Offers the Minister of Health tools and resources to:
  • develop evidence-based policies and programs;
  • demonstrate leadership in health innovation; and
  • engage positively with provinces and territories.

CIHR Institutes

• A unique model for health research, CIHR Institutes share the responsibility for fulfilling its mandate.
• Each institute is led by an internationally renowned scientist and represents a network of researchers brought together to support a broad spectrum of research in its topic areas.
• The model enables optimal use of existing knowledge to fill research gaps in priority areas, maximize cooperation and minimize duplication.

How CIHR Supports Research

Two approaches drive research

Investigator-initiated

• Support the best research ideas proposed by researchers and trainees
• We call this investigator-initiated research

Priority-driven

• Address the changing health needs and priorities of Canadians
• We call this priority-driven research

Process

• Researchers apply for funding
• CIHR receives applications
• Applications are evaluated by independent experts
• CIHR makes final funding decision and releases funds
• Researchers conduct research
• Knowledge mobilization

Key Business Lines

Health Research

• Contribute to improved disease diagnoses, more effective options for treatment, and a strengthened health care system overall by investing in research across four main pillars:
  • Biomedical;
  • Clinical;
  • Health services; and
  • Social, cultural, environmental, and population health.
• Works with its domestic and international partners to optimize the impact of CIHR-funded research so that health outcomes are improved, and healthcare systems are more effective, safe and efficient.

Federal Priorities

• Collaborating with the Health Portfolio and other government partners.
• Provide research evidence needed to develop sound, evidence-based policies on health priorities (e.g., pandemic preparedness and health emergencies, opioid crisis, mental health, suicide prevention, women's health, AMR action plan, national dementia strategy, diabetes, national strategy on high-cost drugs for rare diseases).
• Contribute to improved health care and health outcomes for all Canadians by supporting patient-oriented research and strengthening the clinical trials ecosystem in Canada.
• Inform the implementation of investments and measures announced in Budget 2025, including the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative and those related to the modernization of the federal research funding ecosystem (e.g., Capstone organization).

CIHR Organizational Structure

CIHR consists of a single head office in Ottawa, under the lead of the following senior executives.

• Paul C. Hébert, President
• Jeff Moore Vice-President, Corporative Services and Transformation
• Adrian Mota, Vice-President, Research Programs
• Tammy J. Clifford, Vice- President, Strategic Science and External Relations

CIHR Governance Structure

• Parliament
• Minister of Health
• President
  • Day-to-day management of CIHR
  • Approve funding for research
  • Provide advice to the Minister of Health
• Science Council (SC)
  • Leadership on research and knowledge translation strategy
  • Leadership on funding for CIHR
• Senior Leadership Committee (SLC)
  • Leadership on corporate policy and management
• Governing Council (GC)
  • Develop strategic directions, goals and policies
  • Evaluate performance and appointments of scientific directors
  • Approve budget and by-laws
  • Establish, maintain, terminate and provide mandates for CIHR's institutes

As a Government of Canada agency within the Health Portfolio, CIHR reports to Parliament (e.g., Departmental Results Report), advises the Minister of Health in respect of any matter relating to health research or health policy, and supports federal government policy directions (e.g., participate in parliamentary committee hearings).

Annex: Key Players in Federal Science and Technology Investments (2025-26)

Canada Research Coordinating Committee members

• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council ($1383M), Canadian Institutes of Health Research ($1348M), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council ($1160M), Canada Foundation for Innovation ($512M).

Research and Technology Organization

• National Research Council ($1526M).

Federal Agency

• Natural Resources Canada ($649M), Canadian Spacy Agency ($405M).

Federal Department

• Environment and Climate Change Canada ($1157M), Innovation, Science and Economic Development ($900M), Statistics Canada ($873M), Global Affairs Canada ($873M), National Defence ($639M), Health Canada ($591M), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada ($589M), Fisheries and Oceans ($505M).

Financial Overview 2025-2026

• CIHR's annual budget has remained relatively stable between $1 and $1.4 billion over the last 10 years.
• CIHR's operating budget is approximately 6.2% of its total budget.

Budget 2025-26 by Category

• Total authorities - $1,375.0M
• Planned FTEs - 544

Grants and Awards

• Investigator-initiated research – project and foundation grants $680.1M.
• Research priority areas – institute, ring-fenced and corporate-led initiatives $298.7M.
• Tri-agency programs – separately listed grants $277.9M
• Operating expenditures – personnel, O&M, EBP $86.1M
• Training and career support - $32.2M
• Total - $1,375B

5. Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Roles

Regulatory – enforcement and compliance with regulations upholding food safety and protecting plant and animal health;

• Facilitating trade – supporting market access for Canadian agriculture and agrifood products; and
• Preparing for, and responding to, emergencies – managing and mitigating the impacts of disease or pest outbreaks impacting food, plants and animals.

The Agency has a national footprint and works in offices, laboratories, factories in all regions of Canada. Of our 7,200 employees:

• 32% are front-line inspectors in meat plants and food processing facilities;
• 8% are veterinarians;
• 15% work in scientific testing; and
• Remaining 45% work across policy, programs, international affairs and corporate enabling functions.

Legislative Authorities

The agency is part of the Health Canada portfolio and key partner of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

• The Minister of Health provides the overall direction of the agency and for everything related to food safety and is responsible for:
  • Food and Drugs Act
  • Safe Food for Canadians Act
• The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is responsible for non-food safety legislation, such as animal health, plant protection, and market access and trade, under the following:
  • Fertilizers Act
  • Seed Act
  • Plant Protection Act
  • Plant Breeders' Rights Act
  • Feeds Act
  • Health of Animals Act
  • Food and Drugs Act
  • Safe Food for Canadians Act

Operating Context

• Growing demand for services and increased diversity of trade markets. The CFIA regulates over 20,000 entities licenced under the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations (SFCR). The SFCR includes manufactured foods which were previously not regulated by the CFIA.
• High expectations of Canadian public that food will be safe. The CFIA issues an average of 240 food recalls annually ranging from serious food safety issues to allergens and undeclared ingredients.
• Continuing need to respond to existing emergencies in Canada. Responsible for a range of animal and plant diseases that presently need to be managed (e.g., avian influenza, potato wart, MSX/dermo).
• Increasing need to prevent foreign diseases from entering. It's crucial to mitigate risks that could impact our food supply and economy. For example:
  • African swine fever poses a threat of $5.9B to the pork sector; and
  • Foot and mouth disease could endanger Canada's $14.9B beef industry.
• Increasing complex trade environment that can make it difficult to access certain foreign markets.
• Wide array of stakeholders with varying demands on government (e.g., access to new plant material, faster review of vaccines and feed approval, and online digital harmonization with trading partners).

Front Line Operations

• Inspectors ensure food safety, protect plant and animal health and support trade by:
  • Verifying compliance with legislative requirements by conducting inspection activities: sample collection;
  • Promoting compliance through education and taking enforcement actions in cases of non-compliance;
  • Conducting food safety investigations and addressing food quality complaints; and
  • Issuing permissions for export, import or domestic purposes.
• Inspectors work onsite full time at slaughter establishments; inspect meat processing establishments, egg producers, fish and seafood establishments, imported food, plants and animals, and inspects lumber, animal handling facilities, greenhouses and grain shipments.
• A total of 13 CFIA laboratories across Canada support day-to-day operations of inspectors by performing diagnostic testing to identify hazards or diseases of Canada's food system as well as any diseases or pests that can risk the country's animal and plant resources. These laboratories also support testing requirements for meeting trading partner standards to access their market.

Compliance and Enforcement

The CFIA promotes and verifies compliance with legislation, regulations and policy through:

• Compliance promotion - consultation, communication, information, tools and processes to help regulated parties understand and comply with regulatory requirements;
• Compliance verification - CFIA assessment of regulated party compliance by conducting inspections, taking samples, testing, to verify that requirements are being met;
• Regulatory response - Taking corrective and enforcement actions such as detaining or recalling product, suspending licence, issuing administrative monetary penalties (AMPs), prosecution, refusing entry; or quarantine, depopulation in cases of animal disease outbreak; and
• Recourse and feedback mechanisms - regulated party recourse and feedback mechanisms including Ministerial reviews, Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal decisions, legal recourse.

The CFIA makes public all licence suspensions, AMPs and prosecution actions. This promotes confidence in the CFIA, demonstrates transparency and serves as a deterrent to Industry non- compliance.

International Trade

Supporting market access for Canadian agriculture and agri-food products, through:

• Issuing export certificates, import permits, and conducting inspections and lab testing for imports and exports;
• Influencing development of international rules and standards for plant protection, animal health and food safety at international standard-setting bodies;
• Negotiating import/export conditions, free trade agreements (sanitary/phytosanitary measures) and standards;
• Strengthening international and regulatory cooperation and delivering technical assistance; and
• Working in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Global Affairs Canada.

Supporting market access for Canadian agriculture and agri-food products, through:

• Issuing export certificates, import permits, and conducting inspections and lab testing for imports and exports;
• Influencing development of international rules and standards for plant protection, animal health and food safety at international standard-setting bodies;
• Negotiating import/export conditions, free trade agreements (sanitary/phytosanitary measures) and standards;
• Strengthening international and regulatory cooperation and delivering technical assistance; and
• Working in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Global Affairs Canada.

CFIA is the sole competent authority in Canada responsible for administering and enforcing regulations for the import and export of food, animal and plant products.

Canada exports more than 50% of the agri-food and seafood products it produces, valued at $102B in 2024.

Top five export destinations include United States (62%), China (9%), Japan (5%) EU (5%) and Mexico (2%).

Key products include:

• Canola (seed, oil, meal) – $14.6B (US 52%; China 33%; Japan 5%)
• Wheat – $10.3B (US 9%; Indonesia 9%; China 8%; Japan 8%; Italy 6%)
• Fish and Seafood – $8.2B (US 67%; China 15%; Japan 3%; UK 2%)
• Beef – $4.9B (US 79%; Japan 7%; Mexico 5%; Korea 3%)
• Swine – $5.4B (US 33%; Japan 27%; Mexico 9%; China 9%; Korea 7%)

Canada's imports of agri-food and seafood products is valued at $75B in 2024. Canada's top five imports sources include US (52%), EU (12%), Mexico (6%), China (3%), Brazil (3%).

Considerations and Opportunities

Areas of consideration:

• Forging relationships with US colleagues in light of trade dynamics.
• Working with partners (e.g., AUS, NZ, the UK and the EU) to diversify and facilitate trade.
• Ongoing emergencies (e.g., TB, HPAI, Potato Wart, etc.) will create pressures for the agency.
• [Redacted]
• Advancing food program renewal efforts resulting from publication of the IG report on Joriki investigation.

Opportunities:

• Opportunity to visit facilities.
• Early meeting with stakeholders (e.g. associations, provincial and territorial partners).

CFIA Acts and Regulations

As a regulator, the agency is responsible for the full or partial administration and enforcement of the following acts and regulations:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act
  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice
• Feeds Act
  • Feeds Regulations, 2024
• Fertilizers Act
  • Fertilizers Regulations
• Food and Drugs Act
  • Food and Drug Regulations
• Health of Animals Act
  • Compensation for Certain Birds Destroyed in British Columbia (Avian Influenza) Regulations
  • Compensation for Destroyed Animals and Things Regulations
  • Export Inspection & Certification Exemption Regulations
  • Health of Animals Regulations
  • Reportable Diseases Regulations
• Plant Breeders' Rights Act
  • Plant Breeders' Rights Regulations
• Plant Protection Act
  • Eggplants and Tomatoes Production (Central Saanich) Restriction Regulations
  • Golden Nematode Order
  • Asian Long-horned Beetle Compensation Regulations
  • Plant Protection Regulations
  • Plum Pox Virus Compensation Regulations
  • Potato Production and Sale (Central Saanich) Restriction Regulations
  • Potato Wart Compensation Regulations
• Safe Food for Canadians Act
  • Safe Food for Canadians Regulations
• Seeds Act
  • Seeds Regulations
  • Weed Seeds Order

CFIA Organizational Chart

• Paul MacKinnon, President
• Vacant, Executive Vice President
• Linda Nguyen, Chief of Staff
• Debbie Beresford-Green, Vice President Operations Branch
• Vacant, Associate Vice President
• Dr. David Nanang, Vice President Science Branch
• Robert Ianiro, Vice President Policy and Programs Branch
• Diane Allan, Associate Vice President Policy and Programs Branch
• Jane Hazel, Vice President Communications and Public Affairs Branch
• Raman Srivastava, Vice President Human Resources and Digital Services
• Stanley Xu, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Corporate Management
• Christine Moran, Assistant Deputy Minister and Vice-President International Affairs Branch
• César Kagame, Ombuds
• Scott Rattray, Inspector General and Chief Audit and Executive
• Kristine Allen, Executive Director and Senior General Counsel Legal Services

CFIA across Canada

Atlantic Area

• New Brunswick (Moncton)
• New Brunswick (Fredericton)
• Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown)
• Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John's)
• Nova Scotia (Dartmouth)
• FTE: 825

Quebec Area

• Montreal East
• Montreal West
• Ste. Hyacinthe
• Ste. Foy
• FTE: 1,117

Ontario Area

• Northeast (Barrie)
• Toronto (Downsview)
• Central (Guelph)
• Southwest (London)
• FTE: 1,161

Western Area

• Manitoba (Winnipeg)
• Alberta South (Calgary)
• Alberta North - Saskatchewan (Edmonton)
• British Columbia (Burnaby)
• FTE: 1,702

NCR Area

• FTE: 1,848

Laboratories

• Atlantic – 2
• Québec – 2
• Ontario – 3
• Western -6

Financial Overview 2025-2026

Planned Spending by Core Business 2025-26

• Safe food – $398M (43%)
• Animal health – $197M (21%)
• Plant health - $118M (13%)
• International - $24M (3%)
• Internal services - $180M (20%)

Planned Spending by Type of Expenditures 2025-26

• Operating $736M (80%); Operating expenditures (85% pay and 15% non-pay)
• Other statutory $53M (12%)
• Statutory revenue - $53M (6%)
• Capital expenditures $20M (2%)

6. Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB)

Mandate

• Price Review: to monitor the prices of patented medicines to ensure that they are not excessive.
• Reporting: to report on trends in pharmaceutical sales and pricing for all medicines and on research and development (R&D) spending by patentees.

Jurisdiction and Legislation

• The PMPRB's powers and obligations are set out in ss. 79-103 of the Patent Act and associated Patented Medicines Regulations and Rules of Practice and Procedure. The Patent Act establishes the PMPRB as an independent, quasi-judicial body.
• The PMPRB can hold price hearings to determine whether a price is excessive. It can also publish non-binding guidelines.
• While the PMPRB is part of the Health Portfolio, it carries out its regulatory mandate at arm's length (i.e. independently) from the Minister of Health, due to its quasi-judicial nature.
• Currently, approximately 1,146 patented medicines (by drug identification number), corresponding to approximately $20 billion in annual sales, are under the PMPRB's jurisdiction.

Responsibilities of the Minister

The Patent Act authorizes the Minister of Health to:

• Table the annual report prepared by the PMPRB before Parliament;
• Recommend new or amended regulations to the Governor in Council; and
• Refer matters to the PMPRB for inquiry.

The Minister of Health may (but is not obligated to):

• Participate as a party in a hearing before the PMPRB;
• Convene meetings with the PMPRB;
• Participate in PMPRB guidelines consultations and designate representatives of consumer groups and of the pharmaceutical industry as participants in such consultations;
• Enter into agreements with provinces respecting the distribution of excess revenues collected by the PMPRB from pharmaceutical patentees; and
• Under section 90 of the Act, make inquiries to the board, which in turn is required to report to the Minister at the time and in accordance with the terms of reference established by the Minister.

Core Business Lines

Price Review Mandate

• The PMPRB can only conclusively determine whether a price is excessive within the context of a public pricing hearing.
• The PMPRB issues non-binding guidelines which set out the price review processes performed by PMPRB staff when preparing recommendations on whether the PMPRB should hold a public pricing hearing. The chairperson of the PMPRB makes the final decision to commence a public pricing hearing.
• At a hearing, a panel composed of board members acts as a neutral arbiter between staff and the right holder. If a panel finds that the price of a patented medicine is excessive, it can order:
  • the price be reduced to a non-excessive level.
  • the right holder to make a monetary payment to the Government of Canada to offset the excess revenues earned. In cases where the panel determines there has been a policy of excessive pricing, it can double the amount of the monetary payment.

Reporting Mandate

• Annual Report: as required by the Act, the PMPRB reports annually to Parliament through the Minister of Health on its price review activities, the prices of patented medicines and price trends of all prescription medicines, and on the research and development expenditures reported by pharmaceutical patentees.
• Reports to the Minister: pursuant to section 90 of the Act, at the request of the Minister of Health, the PMPRB's National Prescription Drug Utilization Information System (NPDUIS) group conducts critical analyses of price, utilization and cost trends for patented and non-patented prescription medicines. The reports are provided to the Minister and published on the PMPRB's website.

Key Files – Modernizing the Regulatory Framework

• The amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations ("Regulations"), published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, came into force on July 1, 2022, and resulted in an updated schedule of 11 countries for which rights holders must file prices with the PMPRB (the "PMPRB11") and reduced reporting requirements for medicines believed to be at the lowest risk of excessive pricing.
• On August 18, 2022, the PMPRB announced its approach for reviewing the prices of patented medicines for an interim period (the "interim guidance") to allow for time to consult on new pricing guidelines.
• On September 27, 2023, the PMPRB announced changes to the interim guidance to move forward with implementing the updated basket of comparator countries, with the aim to provide early guidance and greater predictability to certain new medicines.
• In November 2023, the PMPRB launched the first phase of a three-phase consultation process on new guidelines with the release of a scoping paper to encourage a productive conversation between stakeholders and the PMPRB.
• In December 2023, the PMPRB hosted a two-day policy roundtable inviting stakeholders to present their feedback in person. The written feedback can be read on the PMPRB website, and a summary of the in-person feedback can be reviewed in the What We Learned Report.
• In June 2024, the PMPRB launched the second phase of the consultation on new guidelines with the release of the discussion guide. The guide provides a proposed framework that indicates a direction on certain issues and provides a range of options on others.
• The board published new draft guidelines on December 19, 2024 after considering the feedback received on the two previous phases. These guidelines were open for a notice and comment period.
• The board published the new final guidelines on June 26, 2025. The new guidelines will take effects on January 1, 2026.

PMPRB Organizational Structure

• The board consists of up to five part-time Governor in Council-appointed members, including a chairperson and a vice-chairperson.
• The chairperson is designated under the Patent Act as the Chief Executive Officer of the PMPRB, with the authority and responsibility to supervise and direct its work.
• The Director General is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the PMPRB and oversight of its approximately 80 public servants staff.

Chairperson

• Vacant, Chairperson
• Anie Perrault, Acting Chairperson

Board Members

• Dr.Emily Reynen
• Peter Moreland Giraldeau
• Sharoon Blady

Senior Management

• Guillaume Couillard, Director General
• Isabel Jaen Raasch, Director and General Counsel
• Diane Breau, A/Senior Director, Policy and Economic Analysis
• Stéphanie Plouffe, Senior Director Regulatory Affairs and Outreach
• Manon Souligny, Senior Director Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer
• Mélissa Lyonnais, Director and Board Secretariat

Financial Overview 2025-26

Budget by Branch

• Director General - $0.39 M
• Board Secretariat - $2.75 M
• Corporate Services - $3.25 M
• Legal Services - $4.28 M
• Policy and Economic Analysis - $3.93 M
• Regulatory Affairs and Outreach - $3.53 M

Budget by Core Responsibility

• Strategic Outcomes - $14.63 M
• Internal Services - $3.50 M

Total resources

• 81 FTEs and budget of approximately $18.13 M