Public Engagement: Health Canada

Health Canada engages with Canadians and stakeholders on a variety of health issues by conducting public engagement activities such as consultations, public opinion research and by using external advisory bodies.

The Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada Guidelines on Public Engagement aims to strengthen public engagement at HC and PHAC by providing staff with guidance on sound principles, practical tools and templates, promotion of best practice, and leverage of innovative technologies/opportunities across both organizations.

Information available

• Consultations
• Stakeholder registry
• External advisory bodies
• Public opinion research

Consultations

Health Canada regularly conducts consultations with the public and other interested stakeholders that provide the department with an opportunity to hear what Canadians are thinking on a particular issue. The input obtained during these consultations helps form policies and legislation that reflect the concerns of Canadians.

You can visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians websites for information on consultations at Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and other federal departments/agencies.

If you have any questions or concerns, email us at cpab.consultations-dgcap@hc-sc.gc.ca.

Related links

• Drugs and health products – Public involvement and consultations
• Environment and workplace health consultations
• Food and nutrition – Public involvement and partnerships
• Health concerns consultations
• Health–related consultations
• Pesticides and pest management consultations

Stakeholder registry

Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada are committed to openness and transparency. We have a stakeholder registry that will help you stay informed on the latest consultations and participate in our engagement activities.

You can register as a member of an organization, as an individual, or both. Click the button below to create your own profile or log in to your account.

Login/Register

For more information, please consult our FAQs or contact us at any time by email at cpab.csims.external-externe.sgici.dgcap@hc-sc.gc.ca.

External advisory bodies (EAB)

In fulfilling its mandate to help Canadians maintain and improve their health, Health Canada seeks information and advice from a variety of people, groups, agencies and governments. This includes seeking advice from experts using external advisory bodies. These bodies are composed of people who are outside of the federal government, chosen for their knowledge, expertise and experience.

The Health Canada Policy on External Advisory Bodies provides direction to those managing external advisory bodies. The Policy also provides stakeholders and members of the public with information on what to expect when Health Canada seeks advice from an external advisory body.

For additional information on active EABs, please visit Health Canada's EAB web page.

Public opinion research (POR)

Health Canada conducts public opinion research to better understand the needs and views of Canadians. The feedback obtained is used to design and assess programs, services, policies, initiatives and communications activities.

Government of Canada departments and agencies are required to deposit final contracted public opinion research reports within six months of the completion of the data collection. You can find all Health Canada public opinion research reports via Library and Archives Canada.

Health Canada works closely with the Public Opinion Research Directorate (PORD) at Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) to meet requirements of the Directive on the Management of Communications, the Financial Administration Act, and the Standards for conducting public opinion research, as well as other POR-related policies and procedures.

If you have any questions or concerns, email us at hc.cpab.por-rop.dgcap.sc@hc-sc.gc.ca