Executive summary: The State of Public Health in Canada 2026

Chief Public Health Officer of Canada's Report

Published: October 2026

This is Dr. Joss Reimer's first annual report as Canada's Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO). It provides a snapshot of key population health trends in Canada today.

• Years in good health
  • The number of years a person in Canada is expected to live has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels. Yet, on average, people are spending fewer years in good health.
• Mental health
  • Some mental health indicators that worsened over recent years may be stabilizing, but levels remain worse than those seen a decade ago, especially among younger people.
• Toxic drug harms
  • While opioid toxicity deaths have declined recently, the unregulated drug supply continues to change rapidly, and individual and community harms remain high.
• Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections
  • Rates of several sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections continue to rise, with some populations disproportionately impacted.
• Measles
  • The outbreak of measles that began in late 2024 and was declared over in October 2026 highlights the importance of vaccination and addressing disparities in coverage.
• Cancer
  • Over the past several decades, overall cancer cases and deaths in Canada have decreased. At the same time, emerging trends in certain types of cancer warrant further attention.
• Wildfires
  • Climate change is increasing the size and intensity of wildfires, with growing impacts on health and well-being across Canada.

Taken together, these trends suggest that health gains cannot be taken for granted. While there are areas of progress, emerging and persistent challenges highlight where further attention is needed. Several trends also point to changing outcomes among younger populations that could have implications for future population health. Persistent inequities continue to shape who experiences risks and who benefits from opportunities for good health. This reflects the influence of social determinants of health, like income and housing, as well as structural determinants, such as systemic racism and colonialism.

To help address these challenges and sustain progress, three priorities will guide the CPHO's work:

• supporting the health and well-being of younger populations;
• strengthening prevention and preparedness; and
• building knowledge, trust, and public health leadership.

Advancing health equity and supporting reconciliation are foundational across these priorities. Addressing inequities will require sustained collaboration across communities, sectors, and systems, supported by evidence-informed public health action. These efforts can help build healthier communities and improve health and well-being for everyone in Canada.