Supplementary Information Tables 2021-22 Departmental Plan: Health Canada

Table of Contents

• Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
• Details on Transfer Payment Programs
  • Transfer Payment Programs of $5 Million or More
    • Canada Brain Research Fund Program
    • Contribution to the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement
    • Canadian Thalidomide Survivors Support Program
    • Contribution to Canada Health Infoway
    • Contribution to the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
    • Contribution to the Canadian Institute for Health Information
    • Contribution to the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer
    • Contribution to the Canadian Patient Safety Institute
    • Contribution to Improve Health Care Quality and Patient Safety
    • Health Care Policy and Strategies Program
    • Mental Health Commission of Canada Contribution Program
    • Official Languages Health Program
    • Organs, Tissues and Blood Program
    • Strengthening Canada's Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Addiction Services Initiative
    • Substance Use and Addictions Program
  • Transfer Payment Programs under $5 Million
    • Climate Change and Health Adaptation Capacity Building Contribution Program
    • Innovative Solutions Canada
    • Radon Outreach Contribution Program
• Gender-based analysis plus
• Horizontal Initiatives
  • Addressing the Opioid Crisis
  • Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy
  • Implementing a New Federal Framework for the Legalization and Strict Regulation of Cannabis
• Up-Front Multi-Year Funding
  • Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement
  • Canada Health Infoway

Details on Transfer Payment Programs

Transfer Payment Programs of $5 Million or More

Canada Brain Research Fund Program

Start date

April 1, 2011

End date

March 31, 2022

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2019-20

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 1: Canada has modern and sustainable health care systems.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Program 13: Brain Research

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

Through Budgets 2011, 2016, and 2019, the Government of Canada committed up to $160 million, in matched funding with non-federal government donors, for the Canada Brain Research Fund Program "to support the very best Canadian neuroscience" and "to help the medical community better understand the brain and brain health." The Program provides funding for the Brain Canada Foundation (Brain Canada) which fundraises to match the federal contribution with donations from its private and charitable-sector donors and partners. The Government of Canada's objectives in funding the Canada Brain Research Fund are: 1) to serve as a focal point for private investment in brain research by attracting private and charitable donations to match federal funding; and, 2) to support research that advances knowledge of the brain through grants to researchers.

Expected results

The Canada Brain Research Fund's support for brain research is expected to lead to discoveries that will inform the development of prevention, diagnostic, therapeutic, clinical, technological and health system solutions for brain diseases/disorders. Ultimately, these advances are expected to improve the health and quality of life of Canadians who are at risk of or affected by brain diseases/disorders. To contribute to this outcome, the Recipient, in partnership with various donors and private organizations, funds merit-based research awards across Canada, including for the purpose of developing the next generation of Canadian brain researchers.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

2016-17

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2021-22

General targeted recipient groups

The sole target recipient is the national non-profit organization Brain Canada, which acts as a third-party organization that raises and disburses funds for brain research. Through the Canada Brain Research Fund, delivered by Brain Canada, the Program allocates grants to researchers across Canada targeting research institutes, hospitals and health charities.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

The Recipient is continuously engaged through regular monitoring activities such as reporting, performance measurement, meetings and ongoing communication in support of program design and delivery.

Contribution to the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement

In late 2020, the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute amalgamated their organizations. The Department's annual funding to each organization has been combined and is flowing to the new amalgamated organization. For detailed information, please refer to the "Contribution to improve health care quality and patient safety".

Canadian Thalidomide Survivors Support Program

Start date

March 21, 2019

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2018-19

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 2: Canadians have access to appropriate and effective health services

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Program 14: Thalidomide

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Program objectives are to ensure that, for the remainder of their lives, eligible thalidomide survivors:

• receive ongoing tax-free payments based on their level of disability; and
• have transparent and timely access to the Extraordinary Medical Assistance Fund.

Expected results

Expected results are that thalidomide survivors will access care, treatment and/or support which in turn will contribute to their aging with dignity.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

2020-21

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Not Applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2024-25

General targeted recipient groups

Canadian not-for-profit and for-profit organizations.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

The recipient is engaged through regular meetings and ongoing communication. Confirmed thalidomide survivors are engaged by the recipient through monthly updates and annual surveys. This supports simple, pro-active, accessible program delivery to meet the changing needs of thalidomide survivors as they age. Health Canada engages key stakeholders on a routine and ad hoc basis to discuss issues arising and opportunities to improve program design and delivery.

Contribution to Canada Health Infoway

Start date

April 1, 2016

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2017-18

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 1: Canada has modern and sustainable health care systems
• Result 2: Canadians have access to appropriate and effective health services.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Program 5: Digital Health

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation that is federally funded to work with jurisdictions and other stakeholders to support the development and adoption of digital health technologies across Canada. Between 2001 and 2010, the Government of Canada invested $2.1 billion in Infoway, through grants or up-front multi-year funding, to focus on electronic health records and other priorities in digital health. Budget 2016 allocated $50 million over two years to Infoway to support short-term digital health activities in e-prescribing and telehomecare, with the funds flowing as a Contribution Agreement. Budget 2017 allocated $300 million over five years to Infoway to expand e-prescribing and virtual care initiatives, support the continued adoption and use of electronic medical records, help patients to access their own health records electronically, and better link electronic health record systems to improve access by all providers and institutions. In addition, Budget 2019 provided $36.5 million over five years with $5 million per year ongoing, for Infoway and the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) to support the creation of a pan-Canadian data and performance reporting system for Organ Donation and Transplantation. These funds flow as a contribution agreement.

Infoway is currently undertaking its Driving Access to Care Strategy which is comprised of two programs: PrescribeIT and ACCESS Health. To date, 12 jurisdictions have formally agreed to participate in the PrescribeIT program (all except for British Columbia). Infoway has also secured partnerships with several distributers. Infoway also continues to develop its ACCESS Health program. It is currently reviewing the lessons learned from the Access Atlantic pilot project to determine how to best design and scale its Access Atlantic and Access Gateway. As a part of the ACCESS Health program, Infoway is developing a national trust framework to help protect the privacy and manage the consent of patients.

Expected results

The program's expected results include: provincial/territorial governments and stakeholders engaged in expanding digital health technologies; health care providers and patients access digital health technologies and digital health information; and health care providers and patients are equipped with the knowledge and skills to use digital health technologies and digital health information. Over time, this work is expected to lead to: health care providers using digital health technologies to provide more efficient and high quality health care; and patients using digital health technologies to manage and/or improve their health. The program will ultimately lead to a modern and sustainable health care system where Canadians have access to appropriate and effective health care.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

2018-19

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2023-24

General targeted recipient groups

Infoway is the sole recipient.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Health Canada works with Infoway to establish activities to be carried out under the Contribution Agreement, and maintains regular contact with Infoway to monitor progress and compliance under the Contribution Agreement.

Contribution to the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Start date

April 1, 2008

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2017-18

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 1: Canada has modern and sustainable health care systems

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Program 2: Access, Affordability, and Appropriate Use of Drugs and Medical Devices

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) is an independent, not-for-profit agency funded by Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial governments to provide credible, impartial and evidence-based information about the clinical/cost-effectiveness and optimal use of drugs and other health technologies to Canadian health care decision makers.

Expected results

The purpose of the contribution agreement is to provide financial support for CADTH's core business activities, namely, the Common Drug Review, pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, Health Technology Assessments and Optimal Use Projects. Through these activities, CADTH achieves results through: the creation and dissemination of evidence-based information that provide guidance and evidence-based information enabling health system partners to make informed decisions on the adoption and appropriate utilization of drugs and non-drug technologies, in terms of both effectiveness and cost. In particular, CADTH's formulary listing recommendations have been embedded within the decision-processes of public drug plans as a means of increasing transparency across jurisdictions and providing consistency to pharmaceutical reimbursement decisions. Additional funding announced in Budget 2017 is supporting CADTH's ongoing transition to a health technology management organization in order to deliver results that better meet the needs of the healthcare system.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

2018-19

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2023-24

General targeted recipient groups

CADTH, an independent, not-for-profit agency is the sole recipient of transfer payment funds.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Health Canada works with CADTH to establish activities to be carried out under the contribution agreement, and maintains regular contact with CADTH to monitor progress and compliance under the contribution agreement.

Contribution to the Canadian Institute for Health Information

Start date

April 1, 1999

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2017-18

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 2: Canadians have access to appropriate and effective health services

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Program 6: Health Information

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) is an independent, not-for-profit organization supported by federal, provincial and territorial governments (FPT) that provides essential data and analysis on Canada's health system and the health of Canadians. CIHI was created in 1994 by the FPT Ministers of Health to address significant gaps in health information.

Between 1994 and 2018, the Government of Canada allocated approximately $1,232 million in total to CIHI through a series of contribution agreements. Under the current agreement signed in early 2018, over $365 million will be provided to CIHI over 5 years (2017-18 to 2021-22). A first amendment was signed in February 2019 to provide an additional $140,000 to CIHI to undertake an environmental scan of data gaps for addiction treatment services. A second amendment was signed in December 2019 to provide $500,000 for initiating a collaborative pan-Canadian project to enhance organ donation and transplantation data and reporting across the country. Presently, Health Canada funds 79% of CIHI's total budget, while the provincial and territorial governments contribute 19%. The remaining funds are generated largely through product sales.

Expected results

This funding allows CIHI to provide essential information on Canada's health care systems and the health of Canadians in partnership with Canada Health Infoway. CIHI provides comparable and actionable data and information that are used to accelerate improvements in health care, health system performance and population health across the continuum of care. CIHI's stakeholders use the broad range of the Institute's health system databases, measurements and standards, together with their evidence-based reports and analyses, in their decision-making processes. CIHI protects the privacy of Canadians by ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the health care information they provide.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

2018-19

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2023-24

General targeted recipient groups

CIHI is the sole recipient.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Health Canada works with CIHI to establish activities to be carried out under the contribution agreement, and maintains regular contact with CIHI to monitor progress and compliance under the contribution agreement.

Contribution to the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Start date

April 1, 2007

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2017-18

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 2: Canadians have access to appropriate and effective health services.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Program 9: Cancer Control

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation established to implement the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (CSCC). The CSCC was developed in consultation with Canadians, including cancer experts and stakeholders, with the following objectives:

• Reduce the expected number of new cases of cancer among Canadians;
• Enhance the quality of life of those living with cancer; and,
• Lessen the likelihood of Canadians dying from cancer.

Health Canada is responsible for managing the funding to the corporation. CPAC received $250 million from the federal government for its first five-year term (2007 to 2012) and $241 million for its second five-year term (2012 to 2017). Budget 2016 confirmed ongoing funding for CPAC, which is governed by a five-year agreement (2017 to 2022) for $237.5 million.

Expected results

Enhance cancer control through knowledge management and the coordination of efforts among the provinces and territories, cancer experts, stakeholder groups, and Indigenous organizations to champion change, improve health outcomes related to cancer, and leverage existing investments.

A coordinated, knowledge-centered approach to cancer control is expected to significantly reduce the economic burden of cancer, alleviate current pressures on the health care system, and bring together information for all Canadians, no matter where they live.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

2018-19

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2023-24

General targeted recipient groups

CPAC is the sole recipient.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Health Canada works with CPAC to establish activities to be carried out under the contribution agreement, and maintains regular contact with CPAC to monitor progress and compliance under the contribution agreement.

Contribution to the Canadian Patient Safety Institute

In late 2020, the Canadian Patient Safety Institute and the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement amalgamated their organizations. The Department's annual funding to each organization has been combined and is flowing to the new amalgamated organization. For detailed information, please refer to the "Contribution to improve health care quality and patient safety".

Contribution to Improve Health Care Quality and Patient Safety

Start date

TBD

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2020-21

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 1: Canada has modern and sustainable health care systems

Link to the department's Program Inventory

• Program 1: Health Care Systems Analysis and Policy
• Program 10: Patient Safety

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

In late 2020, the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI) and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute amalgamated their organizations, currently operating under the name of CFHI until a new name is announced. The Department's annual funding to each organization has been combined and is flowing to the program to improve health care quality and patient safety.

The program supports the federal government's interest in achieving an accessible, high quality, sustainable and accountable health system adaptable to the needs of Canadians. It is designed to: undertake safety improvement projects that evaluate and implement scalable, evidence-based practices; find and promote health care innovators and innovations; use the patient voice in patient safety reporting and campaigns to raise awareness; drive rapid adoption of proven innovations; enable improvement-oriented systems; target policy, standards and regulations to influence Canada's health care system towards safer care; and, shape the future of healthcare.

Expected results

The program's expected results include: project participants who demonstrate better safety practices and make improvements in patient safety outcomes; stakeholders are better informed and more engaged in patient safety issues and solutions; policy, standards and regulatory bodies utilize best evidence on patient safety; health care leaders are knowledgeable and skilled in carrying out health care improvements; patients, residents, family members, communities and others with lived experience are engaged in health care improvement and co-design; and improvements to the cultures of participating organizations. Over time, this work is expected to lead to: improvements to patient, resident and family experience of care, the health of patients and residents reached, efficiency of care, and work life of healthcare providers; stakeholders adopting and replicating proven, sustainable patient safety practices; and, stakeholders adopting and applying healthcare policies, standards and regulations that incorporate evidence-informed patient safety requirements. Ultimately, the program will work to: sustain, spread and/or scale proven innovative policies and practices within and across organizations, regions and provinces/territories; and, sustain improvements in patient safety outcomes in the Canadian healthcare system.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

2018-19

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2023-24

General targeted recipient groups

The Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (or its successor) is the sole recipient.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Health Canada works with the recipient to establish activities to be carried out under the contribution agreement and maintains regular contact with the recipient to monitor progress and compliance under the contribution agreement.

Health Care Policy and Strategies Program

Start date

September 24, 2002

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2020-21

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 1: Canadians have modern and sustainable health care systems
• Result 2: Canadians have access to appropriate and effective health services.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Program 1: Health Care Systems Analysis and Policy

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Health Care Policy and Strategies Program (HCPSP), previously known as the Health Care Policy Contribution Program, provides up to $26.9 million per fiscal year in time-limited contribution funding to support investments in emerging and demonstrated innovations in areas of priority for health care systems, including mental health, home and community care, palliative and end-of-life care, and other federal, provincial-territorial and emerging priorities. Through the implementation of contribution agreements and a variety of stakeholder engagement activities, Health Canada contributes to the development and application of effective approaches to support sustainable improvements to health care systems.

Expected results

Program funding will support a wide range of projects designed to ultimately contribute to improvements in the accessibility, quality, sustainability and accountability of the health care system. These improvements could ultimately benefit either specific target populations, or all Canadians. For example, projects that produce and transfer knowledge in key areas will help improve Canada's health care systems and advance health policy. Other projects will identify, develop, implement, assess and promote new or modified tools, approaches and best practices that respond to identified health care system priorities and promote people-centred health care. Another range of projects will identify, develop, implement, assess and promote training and skills development, standards, products and technological solutions that will help modernize health care systems delivery.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

2018-19

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2023-24

General targeted recipient groups

Non-profit organizations, other levels of government and other national organizations.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

The Program engages applicants and recipients through discussions on reporting to facilitate the collection of data/information to inform program delivery and results. Recipients are consulted on performance measurement, knowledge translation, and sex and gender based analysis with a view to understanding their needs and the tools they require to meet Program reporting requirements, as well as to provide guidance and feedback on performance measurement plans and reports. Site visits by project officers offer an opportunity to engage recipients in all Program aspects.

Mental Health Commission of Canada Contribution Program

Start date

2000 as a Grant, but as of April 1, 2017 it has become a Contribution.

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2018-19

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 2: Canadians have access to appropriate and effective health services

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Program 4: Mental Health

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), an arm's length, not-for-profit organization, was established in March 2007 with a ten-year mandate to improve health and social outcomes for people and their families living with mental illness. Between 2007 and 2017, the Government of Canada invested $130 million in the MHCC through a grant, to develop a mental health strategy for Canada, conduct an anti-stigma campaign and create a knowledge exchange centre. In 2016, the MHCC's mandate was renewed for a two-year period, from 2017-18 to 2018-19, with a contribution of $14.25 million per year to advance work on mental health priorities, including problematic substance use, suicide prevention, support for at-risk populations and engagement. This contribution was extended until March 31, 2021, and Health Canada intends to renew the terms and conditions until the end of the term (FY 2026-27).

Expected results

This initiative is expected to contribute to the improved mental health and well-being of Canadians, specifically in the areas of problematic substance use, suicide prevention, and stigma reduction.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

2018-19

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2023-24

General targeted recipient groups

The MHCC is the sole recipient.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Regular meetings with the Recipient; analysis and follow-up of progress and financial reporting; and monitoring of performance and results.

Official Languages Health Program

Start date

June 18, 2003

End date

March 31, 2022 (Grant)
Ongoing (Contribution)

Type of transfer payment

Grant and Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2018-19

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 2: Canadians have access to appropriate and effective health services

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Program 12: Promoting Minority Official Languages in the Health Care Systems

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Official Languages Health Program (OLHP) has a total budget of $191.2 million over five years (2018-2023), and $38.46 million per year ongoing after 2023. The Program supports the federal government's commitment to maintain a strong and effective publicly funded health care system by ensuring that official language minority communities (OLMCs) have access to bilingual health services in the language of their choice. Through the implementation of contribution agreements and micro-grants, Health Canada supports investments that improve access to health care services for OLMCs, in the language of their choice through training and retention bilingual health care providers, networking activities and innovative projects in priority areas, such as home care, mental health, palliative and end-of-life care.

Expected results

Program funding will support training and retention of health professionals, health networking and innovative projects to improve access to health services for OLMCs. These activities are expected to increase access to bilingual health professionals in OLMCs, and to increase the offer of health services to OLMCs.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

2016-17

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2021-22

General targeted recipient groups

Eligible recipients under the program are individuals, non-profit entities, provincially-accredited postsecondary institutions and provincial and territorial government bodies.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

The Program engages recipients, potential recipients and the public in various ways, for example through solicited proposals, through open calls for proposals and through consultation with funding recipients and program stakeholders. Program recipients are also engaged through regular meetings; analysis and follow-up of progress and financial reporting; and monitoring of performance and results.

Organs, Tissues and Blood Program

Start date

April 1, 2000

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2019-20

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 2: Canadians have access to appropriate and effective health services

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Program 11: Organs, Tissues and Blood

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Organs, Tissues, and Blood Program ("the Program") provides support for safe, effective, accessible and responsive organ, tissue and blood systems that will improve and extend the quality of the lives of Canadians while respecting federal, provincial, and territorial scopes of authority. In 2020-21, it was combined to replace two existing separate programs: the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) – Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation (OTDT) Program and the CBS – Blood Research and Development (R&D) Program.

Expected results

The Program generates numerous knowledge products and learning events. It plays a role in public education, engagement and awareness. The Program also plays a significant role in training highly qualified people in important areas such as basic and applied research. The Program develops collaborative arrangements, establishes partnerships and identifies areas of emergent interests as well as responds to emerging issues and needs relating to organ, tissue and blood systems, in collaboration with the provinces and territories as appropriate.

In addition, various stakeholders, including Health Canada, use the knowledge generated by blood research and development projects and organ donation and transplantation projects to inform changes to practices and standards. This will contribute to greater safety, effectiveness, accessibility and responsiveness of the organ, tissue and blood systems to improve and extend the quality of lives of Canadians.

Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation

The Program is expected to continue to support CBS to work with partners and stakeholders to influence and improve system performance through development and implementation of leading practices, professional and public education, engagement and awareness, data and analytics services and system performance reporting.

Blood Research and Development

In this context, "blood" includes whole blood and blood products, plasma and plasma products and their respective artificial and substitute products Under its blood research and development component, the program is expected to continue its research to inform the deferral period for gay men and men who have sex with men (MSM) on blood and plasma donations.

Budget 2019 provided $2.4 million over three years, starting in 2019-20, for additional MSM research specific to reducing barriers to the donation of blood plasma. With these investments, CBS, in collaboration with Héma-Québec, began to assess knowledge gaps, set up a research program, and started an international peer review process to select projects for funding. Data gathered from the funded MSM plasma projects, which are set to end in March 2022, will build evidence on relevant stakeholder attitudes and MSM screening and testing that could in turn inform further evolution of eligibility criteria for blood donation.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

2017-18

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2022-23

General targeted recipient groups

CBS is the sole recipient.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Health Canada officials undertake numerous exchanges (meetings, phone calls, e-mails and knowledge transfer activities) with CBS Program staff and senior management to discuss Program progress. In addition, Health Canada continues to monitor the Recipient's compliance with the contribution agreement, performance and results through the analysis and follow-up of progress, performance and financial reporting.

Strengthening Canada's Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Addiction Services Initiative

Start date

November 9, 2017

End date

March 31, 2027

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2017-18

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 2: Canadians have access to appropriate and effective health services

Link to the department's Program Inventory

• Program 1: Health Care Systems Analysis and Policy
• Program 3: Home, Community and Palliative Care
• Program 4: Mental Health

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Government of Canada is investing $11 billion over ten years (from 2017 to 2027) to support provinces and territories (PTs) to improve access to home and community care ($6 billion) and mental health and addictions ($5 billion) services in their jurisdictions, in accordance with the Common Statement of Principles for Shared Health Priorities (CSoP), which was jointly agreed to by federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Health (with the exception of Quebec) in August 2017.

On mental health and addictions, PTs have agreed to focus on:

• Expanding access to community-based mental health and addiction services for children and youth (age 10-25), recognizing the effectiveness of early interventions to treat mild to moderate mental health disorders;
• Spreading evidence-based models of community mental health care and culturally-appropriate interventions that are integrated with primary health services; and,
• Expanding availability of integrated community-based mental health and addiction services for people with complex health needs.

On home and community care, PTs have agreed to focus on:

• Spreading and scaling evidence-based models of home and community care that are more integrated and connected to primary health care;
• Enhancing access to palliative and end-of-life care at home or in hospices;
• Increasing support for caregivers; and,
• Enhancing home care infrastructure, such as digital connectivity, remote monitoring technology and facilities for community based service delivery.

By endorsing the CSoP, PTs fulfilled the conditions set out in the Budget Implementation Act, 2017 to receive funding for fiscal year 2017-18 through a statutory appropriation ($300 million). The remaining nine years of funding ($10.7 billion) will be provided through bilateral funding agreements. Following the 2017 federal, provincial and territorial agreement on the Common Statement of Principles, the federal government negotiated and signed bilateral agreements with each province and territory in which each jurisdiction outlines how it will invest the federal funding for the first five years of the ten year commitment, based on the priority areas of action agreed to by FPT Ministers of Health in August 2017. In 2021-22, these agreements will be renewed for the remaining five years (2022-23 – 2026-27) of the 10-year commitment. As part of the CSoP, all governments also agreed to develop a focused set of common indicators to measure progress on these priority areas. The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) led a collaborative process which culminated in May 2018 when federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Health endorsed a suite of 12 common indicators to be implemented over the coming years.

Expected results

It is expected that through these investments Canadians will experience tangible improvements in access to home and community care as well as mental health and addictions services. This will lead to better health outcomes and a more sustainable health care system, as care is shifted from expensive hospital care to more patient-centric settings in the home and in the community. These investments could also have a broader, positive impact on Canada's economy, by making the health care system more sustainable in the long term, and by enhancing workforce productivity and social participation.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2022-23

General targeted recipient groups

Provinces and territories.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

With respect to mental health and addictions, the Government of Canada has engaged with provinces and territories, national Indigenous organizations, mental health stakeholders, provincial and territorial medical associations and treatment centres, and experts.

With respect to the home and community care, the Government of Canada has engaged with a range of home care stakeholders including representatives from national organizations working on home, community and palliative care, provincial home care providers, patient and family advocates, and national health professional associations (e.g., the Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Nurses Association and the College of Family Physicians of Canada), as well as experts.

Substance Use and Addictions Program

Start date

December 4, 2014

End date

March 31, 2022 (Grant)
Ongoing (Contribution)

Type of transfer payment

Grants and Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2018-19

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 2: Health Protection and Promotion
• Result 4: Canadians are protected from unsafe consumer and commercial products and substances
• Result 5: Canadians make healthy choices

Link to the department's Program Inventory

• Program 27: Tobacco Control
• Program 28: Controlled Substances
• Program 29: Cannabis

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) provides funding for a wide range of evidence-informed and innovative problematic substance use prevention, harm reduction and treatment initiatives across Canada at the community, regional and national levels. Initiatives target a range of psychoactive substances, including opioids, cannabis, alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco. Projects funded by the SUAP contribute to individual capacity and organizational, system and community level program, policy and practice change by: preventing problematic substance use and reducing harms; facilitating treatment service and system enhancements; and, improving awareness, knowledge, skills and competencies of targeted stakeholders and Canadians.

Expected results

Projects funded by the SUAP are expected to contribute to individual capacity and organizational, system and community level program, policy and practice change by: preventing problematic substance use and reducing harms; facilitating treatment and related system enhancements; and, improving awareness, knowledge, skills and competencies of targeted stakeholders and Canadians.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

2017-18

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2022-23

General targeted recipient groups

Community-based, Indigenous, regional and national non-profit organizations, including those in the health and education sectors; and, other levels of government and their agencies.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Applicants and recipients are engaged through: stakeholder outreach; solicitation processes; project development discussion; and performance reporting and monitoring tools, processes and activities. The Program also supports knowledge translation and exchange opportunities between projects, Health Canada and other partners and stakeholders.

Transfer Payment Programs under $5 Million

Climate Change and Health Adaptation Capacity Building Contribution Program

Start date

April 1, 2018

End date

March 31, 2022

Type of transfer payment

Grants and Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2017-18

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 2: Health Protection and Promotion
• Result 4: Canadians are protected from unsafe consumer and commercial products and substances

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Program 22: Climate Change

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The purpose of the program is to protect and improve the health of Canadians in a changing climate through better understanding of risks and effective adaptation measures, and by building needed capacity to implement them.

Expected results

The expected result is:

• Health system actors take adaptation measures to reduce the health effects of climate change.

This expected result will be measured by the following indicator:

Percentage of funded health system actors that have taken evidence-based adaptation measures to reduce the health effects of climate change

• Target: 80% by March 31, 2022

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Not applicable

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation

2025-26

General targeted recipient groups

Provincial and territorial ministries of health; and established province-wide, regional and local health authorities and public health units.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Health Canada shared information regarding the launch of the call for proposal with eligible applicants, and regularly communicates with funding recipients regarding the progress of their projects. These engagement activities support the design and delivery of the most effective and efficient evidence-based adaptation measures, and ensures meaningful evaluations in support of future efforts.

The program also supports the engagement of recipients and non-recipients through the provision of scientific help, training and information exchange that allows for further collaboration opportunities in support of their projects and initiatives.

Innovative Solutions Canada

Start date

August 23, 2019

End date

March 31, 2023

Type of transfer payment

Grant

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2019-20

Link to the departmental results

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 1: Canada has modern and sustainable health care systems
• Result 2: Canadians have access to appropriate and effective health services

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Program 1: Health Care System Analysis and Policy

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

Innovative Solutions Canada is a horizontal Government of Canada initiative, coordinated by Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada, in which participating departments and agencies can issue challenges to Canadian businesses to develop solutions for operational or sector-specific issues and fund the early stage research and development of these innovations. Health Canada's participation will enable innovators and entrepreneurs to generate novel solutions to help Canadians maintain and improve their health.

Expected results

Expected results include the generation of new Canadian Intellectual Property, commercialization of early stage research and development, and increasing the employment of highly skilled workers in the Canadian innovation ecosystem.

Results will be reported under Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's monitoring and evaluation processes which encompass the entirety of the Innovative Solutions Canada program, including Health Canada's participation therein.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Not applicable

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation

2023-24

General targeted recipient groups

For-profit organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Not applicable. As a horizontal initiative, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada will lead engagement with applicants and recipients of funding under Innovative Solutions Canada.

Radon Outreach Contribution Program

Start date

April 1, 2018

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2018-19

Link to the departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 2: Health Protection and Promotion
• Result 4: Canadians are protected from unsafe consumer and commercial products and substances

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Program 30: Radiation Protection

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The purpose of this program is to protect and improve human health and well-being in Canada from the impacts of indoor radon exposure, by aiding in the education of Canadians about the importance of testing their homes, schools and workplaces for radon and reducing radon levels where necessary.

Expected results

The expected results are:

• Canadians and stakeholders are aware of strategies and tools to reduce exposure to radon; and
• Canadians and stakeholders are enabled to manage risk from exposure to radiation

These expected results will be measured by the following indicators:

Percentage of Canadians surveyed who are knowledgeable about radon

• Target: 65% by March 31, 2023

Percentage of Canadian homeowners surveyed who have tested their homes for radon

• Target: 10% by March 31, 2026

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

Not applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation

2023-24

General targeted recipient groups

Regional and local governments, including local health authorities; not-for-profit organizations (including voluntary organizations); professional associations; national Indigenous organizations; and educational institutions.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

The applicants and recipients of the Radon Outreach Contribution Program are engaged and consulted through face-to-face and virtual meetings at relevant conferences and workshops and by email and telephone. Applicant and recipient consultations are structured to support them in designing programs that maximize reach and impact, and provide expertise and support throughout the delivery and evaluation of their programs, with an overarching goal of raising awareness and promoting action to reduce radon-induced lung cancer in Canada.

Gender-based analysis plus

General information

Institutional GBA+ Capacity

In 2021-22, Health Canada will continue to strengthen the implementation of Gender-Based Analysis Plus^{Footnote 2} (GBA+) through the renewed Sex and Gender Action Plan (2020-2023). The Action Plan provides a framework that strengthens the integration of sex, gender and other intersectional factors (such as age, race, indigeneity, education and income level) in externally and internally facing work of the Department. The Department's Action Plan aims to:

• Increase positive impacts on health outcomes and the health status of Canadians by designing initiatives to address the diverse needs of Canadian women, men, girls, boys and gender-diverse individuals;
• Maximize positive impact on workplace health and engagement by developing policies and processes that respond to the diverse needs of employees.

The renewed Sex and Gender Action Plan will continue to advance equality and improve our approaches to diversity and inclusion. It will build on lessons learned between 2017 and 2020, including through the COVID-19 pandemic as well as be guided by recommendations from the evaluation of the original Action Plan (2017-2020). Under the renewal, sex, gender diversity and inclusion related priorities for 2021-22 will include:

• Continuing to increase departmental capacity to apply SGBA+;
• Collaborating with internal and external partners to further strengthen the sex, gender and diversity related evidence-base and expertise;
• Furthering accountability and transparency in implementing SGBA+.

The Department will continue to identify signature initiatives where it will deepen the integration of sex, gender and other intersectional factors.

The Gender and Health Unit will:

• Organize an annual Symposium and other learning events focussing on emerging concepts and departmental highlights related to sex, gender and other intersectional factors in order to improve understanding of these concepts, which affect the health of Canadians;
• Mobilize the knowledge acquired through the Health Policy-Research Partnerships to further embed learning across the Department;
• Continue collaboration with department colleagues to incorporate sex, gender and diversity considerations into program funding;
• Support departmental partners to ensure where possible their information holdings are consistent with the Treasury Board Secretariat policy directive for Gender Inclusive Services and available for use in decision-making;
• Collaborate with Health Portfolio partners to enhance understanding and increase visibility of the intersectional aspects of SGBA+ in our work including the logic model and indicators, which support the SGBA+ Policy and Sex and Gender Action Plan;
• Expand and augment the SGBA+ review process for key policy documents to ensure consistent feedback and recommendations.

Highlights of GBA+ Results Reporting Capacity by Program

Internal Services

• Health Canada offers an Employee Assistance Program that provides services to employees in many federal departments and agencies, as well as to members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and veterans of these organizations. The Program applies a SGBA+ lens to its policies, procedures and services. Based on findings from research conducted in 2018-19 and progress made in the past year, the following will serve as a focus for 2021-22:
  • Leveraging key initiatives (e.g., "Movember") to optimize outreach to demographic populations that tend to underuse EAP (such as men, LGBTQ2+ persons, Indigenous persons, and victims of intimate partner violence) and/or who might be experiencing increased mental health impacts because of COVID-19 (e.g., women, Indigenous persons, LGBTQ2+ persons);
  • Continuing to expand the use of resources and technologies (primarily video counselling and real-time Chat intake) to enhance outreach to groups who access services at lower rates;
  • Improving the capacity to appropriately match clients with diverse ethnic or cultural client backgrounds as well as LGBTQ2+ groups with a counsellor who has "lived experience" or other expertise pertinent to a specific group.

External Services

Cannabis

• Health Canada will continue to apply a SGBA+ lens to the analysis of cannabis survey data by including questions on sex, gender, age and other variables. The 2021 Canadian Cannabis Survey will collect information on sex, gender, age, sexual orientation, country of birth and ethnicity to better capture socio-demographic data to help further our understanding of the interactions between cannabis use and priority populations. Information obtained from this work will help further inform public education and awareness activities in 2021-22.

Consumer Product Safety

• As part of a policy-research partnership with McGill University to investigate consumer perceptions and behaviours in relation to health product labelling, researchers will host training sessions with Health Canada. The sessions will focus on applying SGBA+ to biomedical research as well as increasing the integration of sex and gender related concepts in publications.

Food and Nutrition

• To promote the use of Canada's Food Guide, Health Canada will continue to develop targeted healthy eating resources and will work with stakeholders to reach Canadians across various settings, ages, and population groups. For example, Health Canada continues to support the development of food skills by creating a new modern user-centric food-guide recipe gallery that will include new culturally diverse recipes and articles. In 2021-22, we will also continue working with diverse groups of youth and young adults to inform the development of new resources and tools as well as to promote peer-to-peer engagement on healthy eating.
• Health Canada continues to integrate SGBA+ into the early stages of policy development to help identify stakeholders that may be impacted by various healthy eating initiatives. A key component has been the ongoing integration of a health literacy lens into the division's social science and behavioural research activities. Consulting and conducting research with Canadians disadvantaged by risks of marginal health literacy, and who face challenges accessing, understanding and evaluating nutrition labelling information when making food choices, ensures that our work is advanced in an equitable fashion. In the realm of nutrition labelling, this lens and subsequent analyses informs labelling policies and regulatory development.

Health Impacts of Chemicals

• Enhancements to SGBA+ considerations in chemicals management will continue to be explored. Training material tailored to scientists will be developed in 2021-22, as well as tools to make enhanced considerations more systematic.

Mental Health

• In 2020, Health Canada launched Wellness Together Canada, a free online mental health and substance use portal for Canadians. Health Canada ensured the needs of diverse populations were considered and incorporated into the portal and that mechanisms were put in place to monitor the portal's effectiveness for these populations. Preliminary surveys suggest high levels of client satisfaction with the quality of services. In 2021-22, the Department is proposing to invest $123 million to expand the supports offered through this portal to include a wider range of specialized mental health supports for populations vulnerable to mental and substance use distress, and to extend access to those services, making them available through to March 2023.

Medical Devices and Drugs

• In partnership with Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Institute of Gender and Health, Health Canada has funded two initiatives to be implemented in 2021-22. The initiatives will be used to identify how the Department currently accounts for sex, gender and diversity while regulating drugs and medical devices and develop recommendations on how to further integrate these concepts.

Pesticides

• The Pest Control Products Act explicitly requires consideration of sensitivities for major identifiable subgroups and marginalized Canadians including, pregnant women, infants, children and older seniors. SGBA+ will also continue to be taken into consideration in the design of risk communication activities in order to target specific at-risk populations and tailor the messaging to their interests and needs. For example, activities in a social marketing campaign related to chemicals management will be tailored to such audiences as pregnant women, parents of young children, youth, new Canadians, and other at risk populations.

Horizontal Initiatives

Addressing the Opioids Crisis

General information

Name of horizontal initiative

Addressing the Opioid Crisis

Lead department

Health Canada

Federal partner organization(s)

Canada Border Services Agency
Public Health Agency of Canada
Public Safety Canada
Statistics Canada

Note: Other government departments (e.g., Correctional Service Canada) are supporting the federal response to the overdose crisis. However, they are not captured in this Horizontal Initiative table, as they have not received funding through the Treasury Board Submission "Addressing the Opioid Crisis."

Start date

April 1, 2018

End date

March 31, 2023 and ongoing

Description

Illegal drugs and problematic substance use have always presented health and safety challenges in Canada and around the world. Recently, however, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of opioid-related overdoses and deaths. The people most affected in this overdose crisis continue to be young to middle-aged individuals and men, whose deaths are mostly accidental and largely due to the contamination of the illegal drug supply with highly toxic fentanyl and/or fentanyl analogues. The scale of this crisis is so severe that life expectancy in Canada has stopped increasing for the first time in over 40 years. Fentanyl is a cheap way for drug dealers to make street drugs more powerful and it is causing high rates of overdoses and overdose deaths. A few grains can be enough to cause a fatal overdose.

The federal government's actions to address the overdose crisis are guided by the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy^{Footnote 1}, which takes a comprehensive, collaborative, and compassionate approach to substance use issues using a public health lens. The federal government is deeply concerned about the number of overdoses and deaths, and is taking significant actions in areas of federal jurisdiction to address the crisis. However, despite significant efforts to date, the overdose crisis in Canada continues. According to data from the Public Health Agency of Canada, more than 17,602 people lost their lives in Canada between January 2016 and June 2020 to apparent opioid-related overdoses. In addition, it is estimated that approximately 250,000 Canadians do not have access to treatment when seeking help for problematic substance use. Since people who use drugs have traditionally been stigmatized, Canadians struggling with substance use disorder often encounter barriers when accessing health, medical and social services. Tragically, the COVID-19 pandemic is also exacerbating long-standing challenges regarding substance use and has contributed to the worsening overdose crisis, with some communities now reporting record high numbers of overdose deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency medical service calls.

While the Government of Canada is taking a number of actions to respond to the overdose crisis, this horizontal initiative is specific to measures announced in Budget 2018 to:

• support additional prevention and treatment interventions through an expansion of the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP);
• address the stigma surrounding people who use drugs, which creates barriers for those seeking treatment, through a public education campaign and training for law enforcement;
• enhance capacity to identify and intercept illegal substances at the border by equipping border agents with additional tools at ports of entry; and,
• improve the availability of and access to public health data by expanding public health surveillance, conducting special studies, and redesigning the Canadian Coroner and Medical Examiner Database (CCMED).

Ultimately, these complementary activities are intended to contribute to a reduction in overdose harms and deaths in Canada.

Governance structure

The Government of Canada has put in place a robust governance structure to facilitate whole-of-government coordination in implementing a comprehensive federal response to the overdose crisis. Each department/agency will be responsible for leading its respective initiatives and providing updates to the interdepartmental Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) level Working Group on Opioids chaired by the Associate-ADM of Health Canada's Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch. This working group is used as a forum for information and consultation on next steps toward a comprehensive, collaborative federal response to the overdose crisis. Updates and decisions from this working group feed into the federal, interdepartmental Deputy Ministers Task Force on the Opioid Crisis as required. This Task Force, chaired by the Deputy Minister of Health Canada, serves as a time-limited forum to provide leadership and oversight of federal initiatives to respond to the overdose crisis. The Task Force will remain an established committee until such time that the public environment no longer requires it.

The Government is committed to ongoing collaboration and consultation with provincial and territorial partners. Departments and agencies will provide updates to, and consult with, provincial and territorial colleagues as required through the federal/provincial/territorial (FPT) ADM-level Problematic Substance Use and Harms Committee (PSUH), co-chaired by Health Canada and British Columbia and comprised of ADMs responsible for drug policy in their jurisdiction. They will also provide updates to and consult with provincial/territorial colleagues as required through the FPT Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health with representation from each jurisdiction. The PSUH reports to the FPT Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health and the FPT Conference of Ministers of Health.

Total federal funding allocated from start to end date (dollars)

$108,794,405 (includes existing funding)

Total federal planned spending to date (dollars)

$47,957,952

Total federal actual spending to date (dollars)

$41,247,844

Date of last renewal of initiative

Not applicable

Total federal funding allocated at last renewal and source of funding (dollars)

Not applicable

Additional federal funding received after last renewal (dollars)

Not applicable

Total planned spending since last renewal

Not applicable

Total actual spending since last renewal

Not applicable

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation

2022-23

Planning highlights

All federal partners will work collaboratively to address the overdose crisis in a comprehensive, robust, and effective manner. Planning highlights specific to this horizontal initiative in 2021-22 will include:

• ongoing monitoring and support of 11 prevention and treatment projects funded under the Substance Use and Addictions Program;
• continuing the roll-out of the public education campaign to address stigma towards people who use drugs that creates barriers for those seeking treatment;
• continuing to promote and amend, as needed, the online drug stigma training to police service members across Canada to ensure that they are mindful of the negative impacts of stigma when interacting with people with problematic substance use disorder;
• continuing to advance illicit synthetic opioid supply reduction efforts;
• continuing to establish Designated Safe Examinations Areas, with an additional 21 sites in fiscal year FY 20/21, including implementation of a continuous learning module for Border Services Officers to ensure safe examination of goods suspected to contain highly toxic substances and to support the operationalization of three regional screening facilities to increase the efficiency of substance analysis at high volume ports of entry.
• leading national epidemiologic studies to better understand how the overdose crisis affects sub-populations of people who use drugs; and,
• collaborating with provinces and territories on the redesign of the Canadian Coroner and Medical Examiner Database (CCMED) and incorporating machine learning techniques to improve the analytical capacity of the CCMED.

Contact information

Health Canada

Sheri Todd
Director General
Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch
Sheri.Todd@canada.ca
613-797-2719

Horizontal initiative framework: departmental funding by theme (dollars)

Horizontal initiative: Addressing the Opioid Crisis

Shared outcomes: Reducing harms and deaths related to opioid use

Planning information

Theme 1: Supporting Additional Prevention and Treatment Interventions

Expected results

Health Canada

• ER 1.1.1 Targeted stakeholders and Canadians are equipped with the capacity (knowledge, skills and supports) to inform their decisions and actions related to opioid use.
• ER 1.1.2 Targeted stakeholders use evidence-informed information on opioid use to change policies, programs, and practice.

Performance indicators

Health Canada

• PI 1.1.1 Percentage of targeted Stakeholders/Canadians who reported that they intend to use/used knowledge/skills related to substance use provided by projects funded through SUAP^{Footnote 14}.

Targets

Health Canada

• T 1.1.1 TBD. A target has not yet been established for this indicator. In 2020-21, SUAP is establishing a baseline and will identify a target by March 31, 2022.

Theme 2: Addressing Stigma

Expected results

Health Canada

• ER 2.1.1 Increased sympathy among Canadians for people using opioids
• ER 2.1.2 Increased perception among Canadians of drug use as a public health issue

Public Safety Canada

• ER 2.2 Increased awareness of the impacts of stigma and support for people who use substances amongst law enforcement community about de-stigmatization of people who use opioids

Performance indicators

Health Canada

• PI 2.1.1 Percentage of Canadians who have sympathy for people using opioids
• PI 2.1.2 Percentage of Canadians who believe that opioid-related substance use disorder is a disease

Public Safety Canada

• PI 2.2 Percentage of police service members who completed the online course

Targets

Health Canada

• T 2.1.1 Increase by 5 percentage points^{Footnote 15}
• T 2.1.2 Increase by 5 percentage points^{Footnote 16}

Public Safety Canada

• T 2.2 25% of eligible police service members

Theme 3: Taking Action at Canada's Borders

Expected results

Public Safety Canada

• ER 3.1 Increased knowledge generation and sharing of information on targeted issues related to reducing the illegal supply of opioids in Canada

Canada Border Services Agency

• ER 3.2.1 Increased capacity to identify high-risk goods at ports of entry
• ER 3.2.2 Increased ability to risk assess and identify high risk shipments
• ER 3.2.3 Increased communications related to threat assessment information and intelligence provided to personnel and partnering agencies
• ER 3.2.4 Enhanced capability^{Footnote 17} to interdict illegal cross-border movement of drugs, such as opioids, at postal locations

Performance indicators

Public Safety Canada

• PI 3.1 Percentage of planned engagement activities with law enforcement community, stakeholders and partners to address policy issues related with the illegal supply of opioids that are completed

Canada Border Services Agency

• PI 3.2.1.1 Number of designated safe examination areas, allowing ports of entry to be equipped to identify, detect, and interdict opioids
• PI 3.2.1.2 Percentage of CBSA officers at ports of entry identified for safe examinations training that have completed the required training
• PI 3.2.1.3 Number of items per year of suspected opioid-containing packages sampled and identified at safe sampling areas (outside of the laboratory)
• PI 3.2.2 Number of streams/risk rules supporting advanced risk assessment
• PI 3.2.3 Number of intelligence products produced by the CBSA
• PI 3.2.4.1 Percentage of interdictions of drugs, including opioids, using detector dogs (compared to random resultant rate)
• PI 3.2.4.2 Percentage of interdictions of drugs, including opioids, resulting from targeted examinations (compared to random resultant rate)

Targets

Public Safety Canada

• T 3.1 100%

Canada Border Services Agency

• T 3.2.1.1 70
• T 3.2.1.2 100%^{Footnote 18}
• T 3.2.1.3 1,000^{Footnote 19}
• T 3.2.2 Increase by 10%
• T 3.2.3 5
• T 3.2.4.1 2.5%^{Footnote 20}
• T 3.2.4.2 TBD

Theme 4: Enhancing the Evidence Base

Expected results

Public Health Agency of Canada

• ER 4.1 Enhanced quality surveillance data is available

Statistics Canada

• ER 4.2 Increased use and relevance of CCMED among stakeholders

Performance indicators

Public Health Agency of Canada

• PI 4.1 Number of opioid-related evidence products^{Footnote 21} disseminated publicly

Statistics Canada

• PI 4.2 Percentage of clients satisfied with statistical information from CCMED

Targets

Public Health Agency of Canada

• T 4.1 11

Statistics Canada

• T 4.2 Overall client satisfaction target: 80%.

Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy

General information

Name of horizontal initiative

Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy

Lead department

Health Canada

Federal partner organization(s)

• Canada Border Services Agency
• Canada Revenue Agency
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• Correctional Service Canada
• Department of Justice Canada
• Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada
• Global Affairs Canada
• Indigenous Services Canada
• Parole Board of Canada
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Public Prosecution Service of Canada
• Public Safety Canada
• Public Services and Procurement Canada
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Start date

April 1, 2017

End date

March 31, 2022 and ongoing

Description

The Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS) is the Government of Canada's comprehensive, collaborative, compassionate and evidence-based approach to drug policy, which uses a public health lens when considering and addressing problematic substance use. The CDSS is led by the Minister of Health, supported by Health Canada and 14 other federal departments and agencies. The CDSS covers a broad range of legal and illegal substances, including cannabis^{Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy Footnote 1}, alcohol, opioids^{Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy Footnote 2} and other substances that may result in harms when used problematically. The goal of the strategy is to protect the health and safety of all Canadians by minimizing harms from substance use for individuals, families and communities.

The CDSS takes a four-pillar approach to substance use issues (prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and enforcement), supported by a strong evidence base. The public health focus of the CDSS, along with the inclusion of harm reduction as a core pillar of the strategy, will better enable the Government to address the current overdose crisis, which has been made worse by the impacts of COVID-19, while at the same time working to prevent the emergence of new challenges.

The CDSS recognizes that the national approach to substance use requires strong collaboration and coordination amongst all levels of government working in their respective areas of jurisdiction. It also recognizes the critical importance of working closely with a wide range of stakeholders on an ongoing basis, including people with lived and living experience with substance use. Reducing the stigma experienced by people who use drugs is also integral to the CDSS, and an ongoing priority for the Government of Canada.

Governance structure

The CDSS is led by the Minister of Health. The Strategy is coordinated through a Director-General (DG) level steering committee that reports to Assistant Deputy Ministers (ADMs).

The DG Steering Committee is designed to reflect and support the CDSS's comprehensive approach to substance use issues. The committee is composed of DGs from federal departments/agencies whose mandates are relevant to drug and substance use across the four pillars of prevention, treatment, harm reduction and enforcement/drug regulation. The Committee, which meets at least twice a year and also on an ad hoc basis, is supported by three working groups: the Demand and Harm Reduction Working Group; the Supply Reduction Working Group; and the Evaluation and Reporting Working Group. Secretariat support for the CDSS is provided by the Controlled Substances Directorate (CSD) within Health Canada.

Current federal/provincial/territorial (F/P/T) engagement is achieved through a number of F/P/T mechanisms, including the F/P/T Committee on Problematic Substance Use and Harms that is co-chaired by Health Canada and a provincial Co-Chair.

Total federal funding allocated from start to end date (dollars)

$641,823,968

Total federal planned spending to date (dollars)

$388,219,158

Total federal actual spending to date (dollars)

$460,295,090

Date of last renewal of initiative

Not applicable

Total federal funding allocated at last renewal and source of funding (dollars)

Not applicable

Additional federal funding received after last renewal (dollars)

Not applicable

Total planned spending since last renewal

Not applicable

Total actual spending since last renewal

Not applicable

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation

2022-23

Planning highlights

• Work with P/T's and stakeholders to advance priority activities aimed at reducing overdose deaths, and on a wide range of other issues, including the use of methamphetamine and other drugs, problematic alcohol use, and responding to the impacts of COVID-19 on substance use rates in Canada. These include: public education and upstream prevention efforts; developing new regulations for supervised consumption sites; supporting safer supply services to help reduce overdoses; rolling out grants and contributions funding (including $66M outlined in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement) to support community-based programs; activities to reduce the stigma around problematic substance use; supporting efforts to divert people who use drugs away from criminal charges and towards health and social services; and further enhancing surveillance, data collection and research activities on current and emerging substance use issues.
• Continue efforts to reduce the illegal drug supply through: law enforcement, border control and financial surveillance and auditing activities that target organized crime groups; scheduling of precursor chemicals used to make illegal drugs under federal drug control laws; and ensuring regulatory controls are in place to mitigate the risk of controlled substances being diverted from otherwise authorized activities. (e.g. pharmacies, research, clinical trials, etc.)
• Publish a fully elaborated Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy that reflects expert advice, lessons and feedback from the 2018 consultations, in order to strengthen the Government's approach to addressing problematic substance use.
• Continue to advance and promote Canadian drug policy priorities at the international level, such as the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and the North American Drug Dialogue, including efforts to highlight the negative impacts of stigma, increasing access to evidence-based treatment services, and addressing international drug trafficking.

Contact information

Health Canada

Jennifer Saxe
Director General
Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch
Jennifer.saxe@canada.ca
613-816-1739

Horizontal initiative framework: departmental funding by theme (dollars)

Horizontal initiative: Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy

Shared outcomes:

• SO 1. Problematic substance use is addressed as a health and social issue by governments, communities, stakeholders and Canadian society.
• SO 2. Rates of problematic substance use in Canada are minimized, especially for youth and those most at risk of harm, including preventing, reducing and/or delaying the use of drugs and other substances.
• SO 3. Canadians and their communities are supported with evidence-based tools, programs and services to be safer, healthier and more resilient.

Planning information

Theme 1: Prevention

Expected Results

Health Canada

• ER 1.1.1 Targeted stakeholders and Canadians are equipped with the capacity (knowledge, skills and supports) to inform their decisions and actions related to substance use.
• ER 1.1.2 Targeted stakeholders use evidence-informed information on substance use to change policies, programs, and practice.
• ER 1.1.3 Increased compliance and reduced risk of diversion of controlled substances, prescription drugs and precursor chemicals.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

ER 1.2 The RCMP will increase awareness of drugs and illegal substances among stakeholders by developing education products, supporting outreach and engagement efforts, and building new partnerships.

Performance Indicators

Health Canada

• PI 1.1.1 Percentage of targeted Stakeholders/Canadians who reported that they intend to use/used knowledge/skills related to substance use provided by projects funded through SUAP.^{Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy Footnote 17}
• PI 1.1.3 Percentage of pharmacies inspected that are deemed to be compliant with the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and its regulations.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• PI 1.2.1 Number of awareness products.
• PI 1.2.2 Number of stakeholders reached.
• PI 1.2.3 Percentage of partners and stakeholders who demonstrate an increase in awareness of illegal drugs.
• PI 1.2.4 Number of partnerships and collaborations.
• PI 1.2.5 Number of new engagement opportunities identified.

Targets

Health Canada

• T 1.1.1 TBD. A target has not yet been established for this indicator. In 2020-21, SUAP is establishing a baseline and will identify a target by March 31, 2022.
• T 1.1.3 80%

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• T 1.2.1 5 illegal drug awareness products will be produced and/or updated
• T 1.2.2 Approximately 1,000 stakeholders will be reached (stakeholders include Police, Public/Youth, and Industry/Other stakeholders).
• T 1.2.3 50% of partners and stakeholders agree that Federal Policing contributed to an increased awareness/understanding of illegal drugs.
• T 1.2.4 At least 3 partnerships/collaborations.
• T 1.2.5 5

Theme 2: Treatment

Expected Results

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

ER 2.1 Support for research in priority areas.

Department of Justice Canada

• ER 2.2.1 The criminal justice system supports alternative ways of responding to the causes and consequences of offending.
• ER 2.2.2 Increased availability of, and access to, drug treatment services and programs for youth involved in the justice system.

Performance indicators

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

PI 2.1 Percentage of funded research projects with a nature and scope that support CDSS' goals.

Department of Justice Canada

• PI 2.2.1 Percentage of Drug Treatment Court participants retained for 6 months or longer in the court-monitored treatment program.
• PI 2.2.2 Number of active projects funded under Youth Justice Fund's Drug Treatment component per fiscal year.

Targets

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

T 2.1 100%

Department of Justice Canada

• T 2.2.1 50% of participants are retained for six months in federally funded Drug Treatment programs.
• T 2.2.2 5 active projects.

Theme 3: Harm reduction

Expected results

Health Canada

ER 3.1 Increased availability of harm reduction services.

Public Health Agency of Canada

ER 3.3 Reduction in risk-taking behaviour among drug or substances users.

Performance indicators

Health Canada

PI 3.1 Percentage of applications for an exemption to operate a Supervised Consumption Site that received a decision within the service standard from the time the review is complete.

Public Health Agency of Canada

PI 3.3 Percentage decrease in the number of people who use drugs who report sharing drug use equipment.^{Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy Footnote 18}

Targets

Health Canada

T 3.1 90%

Public Health Agency of Canada

T 3.3 10% decrease

Theme 4: Enforcement

Expected results

Health Canada

• ER 4.1.1 Authorizations to perform legitimate activities with controlled substances and precursor chemicals are processed in a timely manner.
• ER 4.1.2 Increased compliance and reduced risk of diversion of controlled substances, prescription drugs and precursor chemicals.
• ER 4.1.3 Increased effectiveness in drug analysis.
• ER 4.1.4 Data and research evidence on drugs and emerging drug trends are used by members of the federal Health Portfolio and their partners.

Canada Border Services Agency

• ER 4.2.1 Increase awareness and capacity to gather information and intelligence to maximize interdiction of illegal drugs (as defined in the CDSA) at the border.
• ER 4.2.2 Continue to inform enforcement activities by providing intelligence and analytical support to the regions.
• ER 4.2.3 Continue to work with CDSS partner agencies to identify opportunities for cooperation, share information, and conduct laboratory analysis related to illegal drugs and other goods (e.g. precursor chemicals) governed by the CDSA.

Canada Revenue Agency

ER 4.3 30 audits. Re- assessments of $2.0 million of federal taxes.

Correctional Service Canada

ER 4.4 Timely case preparation and supervision of provincial offenders with a drug offence (CDSA Schedule II).

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada.

ER 4.5 Given the importance of the CDSS initiative, FINTRAC will continue to work with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to ensure they receive financial intelligence related to drug production and distribution that is useful for further actions.

Global Affairs Canada

ER 4.6 In 2020-21, GAC will increase capacity of port officials in selected countries in the Americas to intercept and seize illegal drugs smuggled via legal maritime containerized cargo. GAC will also work to build the capacity law enforcement of OAS member states to share and disseminate information and early warning alerts on New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), opioids, and other emerging drug threats.

Parole Board of Canada

• ER 4.7.1 Conditional release decisions contribute to keeping communities safe.
• ER 4.7.2 The timely exchange of relevant information with victims, offenders, observers, other components of the criminal justice system, and the general public.

Public Prosecution Service of Canada

• ER 4.8.1 Provision of legal advice and litigation support, as well as the prosecution of drug offences in all provinces /territories regardless of which police agency investigates the offences, except Quebec and New Brunswick. In these provinces, the PPSC prosecutes only drug offences investigated by the RCMP.
• ER 4.8.2 Provision of pre-charge legal advice and litigation support, as well as the prosecution of serious drug offences under the CDSA to which mandatory minimum penalties are applicable.

Public Safety Canada

ER 4.9 Coordinated enforcement action to address illegal drugs and substances.

Public Services and Procurement Canada

ER 4.10 Assist law enforcement agencies and prosecutors by providing forensic accounting services and expertise. These services assist in determining whether the assets identified were derived from criminal activities, thereby allowing the Crown to seize the assets and remove the financial incentives from the crime.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

ER 4.11 The RCMP will focus its efforts to undertake investigations and initiatives focussing on the highest threats related to organized crime networks including those involved in the importation and trafficking of illegal drugs, including illegal opioids.

Performance indicators

Health Canada

• PI 4.1.1 Overall percentage of High-Volume Regulatory Authorizations for controlled substances processed within service standards.
• PI 4.1.2 Percentage of licensed dealers inspected that are deemed to be compliant with the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and its regulations.
• PI 4.1.3 Percentage of samples analyzed within service standards.
• PI 4.1.4 Number of alerts issued to clients and to provincial and territorial health authorities on newly identified potent illegal drugs in communities.

Canada Border Services Agency

PI 4.2 Ratio of the average dollar value of drugs and their precursors seized attributed to Intelligence vs. the average dollar value drugs and their precursors seized not attributed to intelligence.

Canada Revenue Agency

PI 4.3 80% or more of audits resulting in a (re) assessment.

Correctional Service Canada

• PI 4.4.1 Total number of provincial offenders convicted of a drug offence (CDSA Schedule II) supervised by CSC on a monthly basis during the year.
• PI 4.4.2 Total number of provincial offenders convicted of a drug offence (CDSA Schedule II) with a residency requirement on a monthly basis during the year.
• PI 4.4.3 Total number of case preparation reports (pre- and post-release) completed for all provincial offenders during the year.

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada

• PI 4.5 Total number of FINTRAC disclosures of actionable financial intelligence made to regime partners, and the number of unique disclosures of actionable financial intelligence that relate to at least one drug-related offence.

Global Affairs Canada

• PI 4.6.1 Number of illegal drug seizures made by GAC-financed/UNODC trained Port Control Units in beneficiary countries.
• PI 4.6.2 Volume of illegal drug seized by GAC-financed/UNODC trained Port Control Units in beneficiary countries.

Parole Board of Canada

• PI 4.7.1 Number and proportion of provincial offenders convicted of drug offences who successfully complete parole.
• PI 4.7.2 Percentage of individuals (i.e., general public and victims) who are satisfied with the quality of the service.

Public Prosecution Service of Canada

• PI 4.8.1.1 Number of litigation files related to the prosecution of drug offences under the CDSA referred to the PPSC during the fiscal year.
• PI 4.8.1.2 Number of files for which legal advice was provided by PPSC counsel.
• PI 4.8.2.1 Number of litigation files related to the prosecution of serious drug offences under the CDSA referred to the PPSC during the fiscal year to which mandatory minimum penalties are applicable.
• PI 4.8.2.2 Number of files for which legal advice was provided by PPSC counsel where mandatory minimum penalties are applicable.

Public Safety Canada

PI 4.9 Timely sharing of evidence-based knowledge and intelligence to support law enforcement actions against illegal drugs and substances.

Public Services and Procurement Canada

• PI 4.10.1 Number of active CDSS files where the services of a forensic accountant were required.
• PI 4.10.2 Number of Forensic Accounting Reports produced during the fiscal year.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• PI 4.11.1 Number and percentage of Federal Serious and Organized Crime (FSOC) investigations with a transnational nexus.
• PI 4.11.2 Number of drug-related charges laid by FSOC units.
• PI 4.11.3 Number of drug seizures made by FSOC units, including amount of drugs seized.

Targets

Health Canada

• T 4.1.1 90%
• T 4.1.2 TBD – A target has not yet been established for this indicator. On-site inspections of high-risk Licensed Dealers continue to be a priority for the program. Due to COVID-19 and the resulting health and safety restrictions, the program transitioned to virtual/remote methods for its planned inspections, as well as all other high risk activities {e.g. security inspections}. In order for a target to be set for planned inspections, a full operational year using the new risk-based approach is needed to ensure a sufficient sample size and establish a baseline. Once the program is able to complete a full year of risk-based planned inspections, a target will be established for this indicator. For 2021-22, the program will use a risk-based approach for compliance and enforcement activities, including virtual/remote and on-site inspections and compliance promotion.
• T 4.1.3 95% of certificates of analysis issued within service standards or negotiated date.
• T 4.1.4 Demand driven

Canada Border Services Agency

T 4.2 9:1 ratio

Canada Revenue Agency

T 4.3 30 audits. Re-assessments of $2.0 million of federal taxes.

Correctional Service Canada

• T 4.4.1 42 (approximately)
• T 4.4.2 19 (approximately)
• T 4.4.3 556 (approximately)

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada

T 4.5 FINTRAC seeks to closely align its financial intelligence products with the needs and priorities of its investigative partners. As such, the Centre does not set specific targets for the number or types of drug-related case disclosures it produces in any fiscal year.

Global Affairs Canada

• T 4.6.1 Illegal drug seizures are made in all beneficiary countries benefiting from GAC-financed/UNODC trained port control units.
• T 4.6.2 At least 20 tons

Parole Board of Canada

• T 4.7.1 100% of provincial offenders serving sentences for drug offences who are on parole are not convicted of a violent offence during their supervision period.
• T 4.7.2 89% of individuals are satisfied with the quality of service.^{Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy Footnote 19}

Public Prosecution Service of Canada

T 4.8 Targets are not applicable owing to the nature of the PPSC's workload and mandate.

Public Safety Canada

T 4.9 100% completion of planned coordination activities based on an integrated law enforcement work plan.

Public Services and Procurement Canada

T 4.10 The files are dependent on the projects law enforcement assign to PSPC-FAMG and are based on the resource capacity of the three senior forensic accounts dedicated to work on CDSS files.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

T 4.11 Targets are not applicable as these will vary by province/territory and is based on need.

Theme 5: Evidence base

Expected results

Health Canada

ER 5.1 Increased availability of data and research evidence on drugs and substances.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

ER 5.2 Increased availability of data and research evidence on drugs and substances.

Performance indicators

Health Canada

PI 5.1 Percentage of United Nations Annual Report Questionnaire completed with Canadian data.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

• PI 5.2.1 Percentage of grant recipients producing policy-relevant knowledge products, such as research publications, policy briefs, guidelines for policies or practice, presentations to policy audiences, and media mentions.
• PI 5.2.2 Percentage of health research publications related to problematic substance use.

Targets

Health Canada

T 5.1 60.5%^{Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy Footnote 20}

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

• T 5.2.1 75%
• T 5.2.2 90%

Implementing a New Federal Framework for the Legalization and Strict Regulation of Cannabis

General information

Name of horizontal initiative

Implementing a New Federal Framework for the Legalization and Strict Regulation of Cannabis

Lead department

Health Canada

Federal partner organization(s)

Canada Border Services Agency
Public Health Agency of Canada
Public Safety Canada
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Note: Other government departments (e.g., the Department of Justice) are supporting the federal cannabis framework. However, they are not captured in this Horizontal Initiative table, as they have not received targeted funding to support this initiative, "Implementing a New Federal Framework for the Legalization and Strict Regulation of Cannabis".

Start date

April 1, 2017

End date

March 31, 2022

Description

The objective of this horizontal initiative is to implement and administer the federal framework to legalize and strictly regulate cannabis. The Cannabis Act received Royal Assent on June 21, 2018, and came into force on October 17, 2018. This initiative aims to prevent young persons from accessing cannabis, to protect public health and public safety by establishing strict product safety and product quality requirements and to deter criminal activity by imposing serious criminal penalties for those operating outside the legal framework.

Federal partner organizations implement the regulatory framework including licensing; compliance and enforcement; surveillance; research; national public education and awareness activities; and framework support.

The initiative also supports law enforcement capacity to collect and assess intelligence on the evolution of organized crime involvement in the illicit cannabis market and other related criminal markets.

Activities are organized by five high-level themes:

1. Establish, implement and enforce the new legislative framework;
2. Provide Canadians with information needed to make informed decisions and minimize health and safety harms;
3. Build law enforcement knowledge and engage partners and stakeholders on public safety;
4. Provide criminal intelligence, enforcement and related training activities; and
5. Prevent and interdict prohibited cross-border movement of cannabis while maintaining the flow of legitimate travelers and goods.

Governance structure

The Government of Canada continues to support a robust governance structure to facilitate whole-of-government coordination in implementing and administering the federal framework to legalize and strictly regulate cannabis. At the federal level, this governance structure includes: an Assistant Deputy Minister Committee that serves as a forum for government-wide coordination of policy and implementation activities; a Directors General Committee that is responsible for coordinating policy, regulatory development, and implementation activities across federal departments and agencies; and, a Federal Partners Cannabis Data Working Group to promote horizontal collaboration and support evidence-based policy and program development.

Health Canada's Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch assumes a central coordinating role in tracking key project milestones and in reporting to federal Ministers.

The Government is committed to ongoing collaboration and consultation with provincial and territorial partners. In May 2016, the Federal/Provincial/Territorial (F/P/T) Senior Officials Working Group on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation was established to enable F/P/T governments to exchange information on important issues about the legalization and regulation of cannabis throughout the consultation, design and implementation of the legislation, regulations, and non-regulatory activities. Other F/P/T working groups and committees also facilitate ongoing engagement in key priority areas, including public education and awareness, data development and information sharing, national inventory tracking and implementation. In addition, existing F/P/T bodies are also considering the implications of cannabis legalization and regulation, including F/P/T Deputy Ministers responsible for Justice, Public Safety and Finance, and F/P/T Ministers responsible for Health, Justice and Labour.

Total federal funding allocated from start to end date (dollars)

$546,807,456

Total federal planned spending to date (dollars)

$424,998,364

Total federal actual spending to date (dollars)

$258,201,556

Date of last renewal of initiative

Not applicable

Total federal funding allocated at last renewal and source of funding (dollars)

Not applicable

Additional federal funding received after last renewal (dollars)

Not applicable

Total planned spending since last renewal

Not applicable

Total actual spending since last renewal

Not applicable

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation

2022-23

Planning highlights

The federal government will continue to focus on the ongoing implementation of the cannabis legislative and regulatory framework, which includes initiating the mandated legislative review of the administration and operation of the Cannabis Act. To meet its objectives, the Department will continue collaborating with provinces and territories, Indigenous communities, the regulated industry, public health organizations, academics, federal partners, international partners, and law enforcement.

For 2021-22, the federal government will also continue to: issue licences for cannabis, hemp, research and analytical testing and cannabis drug licences; monitor and report on service standards for applications and permits issued; and provide standards for products, packaging and labelling, and prohibitions on promotions designed to protect the health and safety of Canadians. Provinces and territories remain responsible for determining how cannabis is distributed and sold in their jurisdictions.

More specifically, participating federal departments and agencies have identified the following key priorities for 2021-22.

Health Canada

In 2021-22, Health Canada will:

• Propose regulatory amendments to facilitate non-therapeutic cannabis research involving human subjects and cannabis testing to gain a better understanding of the health and safety risks associated with cannabis;
• Continue to closely monitor the use of vaping products among youth and take further actions, as necessary, such as new regulatory proposals, to reduce the appeal of these cannabis products to young Canadians;
• Continue to track the high-level movement of cannabis throughout the supply chain through the administration of the Cannabis Tracking System (CTS);
• ·Continue to publish market data and data on cannabis for medical purposes on the Health Canada website to keep Canadians informed of industry trends and progress towards the Cannabis Act's objective of displacing the illegal market;
• Actively monitor the impact of the cannabis fee structure on the policy goals of the Cannabis Act and on industry, as well as the progress made toward achieving full cost recovery;
• Continue to empower Canadians to make informed decisions about the use of cannabis by communicating health and safety risks and impacts through web content, social media, and advisories;
• Continue to engage in trilateral/bilateral discussions with Indigenous communities and provinces and territories related to public health and public safety;
• Support Indigenous communities seeking to participate in the legal cannabis market by providing advice and guidance in navigating the application process through licensing application tools such as the Indigenous Navigator Service and a dedicated Licensing Advisor;
• Maintain a separate system that provides reasonable access to cannabis for medical purposes by issuing licences to sell cannabis for medical purposes and registering individuals who have the support of their health care practitioner to produce a limited amount of cannabis for their own medical purposes, and continue to monitor and report on service standards for registrations issued;
• Increase collaboration with partners to strengthen the integrity of the medical access framework by addressing the public health and public safety risks posed by individuals who may misuse the personal production of cannabis for medical purposes. These efforts will provide information for health care practitioners on the appropriate dosing of cannabis as well as for provincial and territorial regulatory bodies responsible for licencing health care practitioners;
• Continue to implement strategies aimed at promoting a diverse commercial cannabis industry and deterring activity in the illicit market by reducing barriers for small-scale applicants, improving guidance, and enhancing outreach and intervention strategies with the cannabis micro-class applicants^{Footnote 1};
• Continue to promote, monitor, verify and enforce compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements through a risk-based approach with a particular focus on areas, such as Good Production Practices requirements as well as promotion prohibitions for cannabis, cannabis accessories and services related to cannabis;
• Continue to leverage internal and open-source data to inform risk-based compliance and enforcement decisions;
• Continue to closely monitor new products entering the market through the mandatory 60-day new product notification requirement to help mitigate risks to public health and public safety; and,
• Continue to collect, monitor and analyze emerging scientific evidence, research, adverse reactions, and surveillance data on cannabis to better understand the impact of the Cannabis Act on public health and public safety, and to inform risk assessments, risk communications, regulatory and policy decisions and ongoing public education activities.

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

In 2021-22, the CBSA will continue to advance initiatives that support the identification and interception of high-risk people, goods and conveyances that pose a threat to the security of Canadians with respect to the illegitimate cross-border movement of cannabis. Planning highlights include:

• Monitor the implementation of a new Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) regime for cannabis-related contraventions of the Customs Act, applicable to travellers at Canada's ports of entry aimed at enhancing the CBSA's capacity to promote compliance while providing travellers with access to recourse mechanisms and appeal decisions in a timely manner;
• Continue to monitor and report on the Agency's capacity to prevent and interdict prohibited cross-border movement of cannabis, while maintaining the flow of legitimate travellers and goods;
• Work with law enforcement partners to maintain border integrity and discourage the illicit cross-border movement of cannabis, and;
• Provide laboratory-based analysis of seized products suspected of containing cannabis, whereby the CBSA laboratory will continue to provide scientific advice, perform testing, and provide certificates of analysis for evidentiary purposes.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

In 2021-22, the PHAC will continue to support the role of Canada's Chief Public Health Officer by undertaking the following:

• Inform public education needs by working with partners and stakeholders to conduct knowledge synthesis and translation in priority areas (e.g., cannabis edibles, extracts and topicals);
• Leverage existing programs, networks, initiatives and collaborations to effectively reach priority populations (e.g., health care professionals, pregnant and breastfeeding women, seniors) with tailored public education messaging on cannabis; and,
• Develop and promote messages and resources for educators and health professionals to prevent/reduce problematic substance use among youth.

Public Safety Canada (PS)

In 2021-22, PS will continue to support the implementation of the Cannabis Act, with a particular focus on policy goals relating to the prevention of public safety harms. PS will work in close partnership with federal, provincial, and territorial (F/P/T) partners as well as law enforcement and other key stakeholders on policies and strategies to combat the illegal market. Planning highlights for 2021-22 will include developing and implementing disruption practices and strategies; strengthening data collection and evidence-based policy through research and monitoring of illicit cannabis markets; and delivering public education and awareness activities to support Canadians in making informed and lawful decisions around cannabis with a particular focus on the following:

• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to support efforts aimed at displacing the cannabis illicit market;
• Work with F/P/T partners to enhance data collection and monitoring activities to help measure the size and scope of the illicit cannabis markets (online and offline);
• Lead work with F/P/T partners to address emerging issues related to the illicit sales of cannabis, particularly online, and to disrupt illicit online activities;
• Continue to identify data gaps and create opportunities to strengthen data collection through collaboration with Statistics Canada and Health Canada, by:
  • participating in the Federal/Provincial/Territorial partners Cannabis Data Working Group (FPTCDWG) whose role is to leverage and coordinate Pan-Canadian surveillance and data collection on drug and substance presence, use, harms, treatment and outcomes at the national level;
• Contribute to a better understanding of the nature, scope, availability, and prices of illicit sales of cannabis by producing research products on related topics, such as online cryptomarkets^{Footnote 2} and illicit drug market disruption methods;
• Collaborate with the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction on researching and organizing thematic activities as well as with other institutions such as Statistics Canada, Health Canada and Justice Canada, and;
• Continue public education and awareness activities to provide Canadians, in particular young Canadians aged 16-24, with information on the legal implications and laws associated with cannabis use and driving, and complete the final public opinion tracking survey.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

In 2021-22, the RCMP will work collaboratively to develop appropriate responses, including targeted awareness products, through ongoing interactions with stakeholders. The RCMP will identify trends related to organized crime infiltration and money-making schemes in relation to both the legitimate and the illegal markets. Through in-person engagement and the use of technology, the RCMP will continue to focus on increasing awareness and education of cannabis legalization and regulation, with an emphasis on possession, production, and distribution of cannabis for Indigenous and youth populations by undertaking the following select initiatives:

• Develop evidence-based awareness materials for youth audiences, including lesson plans, fact sheets, presentations, posters, brochures and online campaigns (such as Operation Think of Me) for use by RCMP School Resource Officers, Community Program Officers, school administrators and persons who work with youth on cannabis legalization and regulation;
• Engage youth nationally by hosting Facebook LIVE interactive panel discussions with our National Youth Advisory Committee;
• Deliver 'RCMP Talks' videoconferencing sessions, which connect Canadian youth for open and real-time conversations, and allow the RCMP to learn directly from youth on the impacts of cannabis, trends related to attaining and using cannabis, and provide the RCMP with an opportunity to work with youth to be leaders in the prevention of illicit use.

The RCMP will play a key coordinating role in stakeholder engagement, establishing networks and in the development and distribution of national awareness products to ensure consistency and support for stakeholder outreach. In 2021-22, Federal Policing Prevention and Engagement work will focus on:

• Engaging with industry;
• Creating products to align with emerging trends in the illicit cannabis market; and
• Contributing to the disruption of organized crime involvement in the illicit online cannabis market.

In 2021-22, the RCMP will continue its efforts to support training and capacity development by engaging in the following activities:

• Update and develop any new online or in-class training, if required, to support the regulation changes related to new classes of cannabis (i.e., cannabis edibles, extracts and topicals);
• Review and amend, if necessary, existing RCMP operational training courses in all of the respective program areas to reflect the new legislation; and,
• Co-ordinate and deliver annual National Cannabis working group session as and when required to validate existing training and identify any new training requirements.

The RCMP will continue to work with partners on various cannabis policy-related initiatives, such as the approach to law enforcement in Indigenous communities, online illegal dispensaries, and regulations related to cannabis edibles, extracts and topicals. Furthermore, in 2021-22, the RCMP will leverage existing forums such as the Canadian Association Chiefs of Police to discuss and advance current or emerging policy initiatives.

The RCMP will continue to develop criminal intelligence products to identify, target, and disrupt criminal involvement in the Canadian cannabis market, and share intelligence with law enforcement agencies, domestic government partners, and international law enforcement partners. In 2021-22, the RCMP will continue to:

• Coordinate criminal intelligence across RCMP and law enforcement/regulatory partners to effectively plan enforcement action against organized criminal activity in the Canadian cannabis market; and,
• Work with divisional partners, provincial and federal law enforcement agencies, and regulatory partners to identify intelligence gaps and requirements for effective intelligence collection.

The RCMP will continue to support the Minister of Health's decisions on security clearances required as part of the licensing regime for cannabis cultivators and processors, which includes identifying criminality or associations to criminal organizations and verifying this information with the law enforcement organizations of jurisdiction.

Contact information

Health Canada
John Clare
Director General
Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch
John.Clare@canada.ca
613-941-2045

Horizontal initiative framework: departmental funding by theme (dollars)

Horizontal initiative: Implementing a New Federal Framework for the Legalization and Strict Regulation of Cannabis

Shared outcomes:

• SO 1. Cannabis is kept out of the hands of Canadian children and youth
• SO 2. Criminal involvement in the illicit cannabis market is reduced

Planning information

Theme 1: Establish, implement and enforce the new horizontal initiative

Expected results

Health Canada

• ER 1.1.1 A federally licensed and regulated (non-medical) industry is established.
• ER 1.1.2 The federally licensed industry understands the legislation and regulatory requirements.
• ER 1.1.3 The federally licensed industry is found to be compliant with regulatory requirements.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• ER 1.2 Law Enforcement Records Checks (LERCs) are conducted in support of HC's security clearance decisions.

Performance indicators

Health Canada

• PI 1.1.1.1 Number of licence applications decisions per year.
• PI 1.1.1.2 Percentage of licensed applications reviewed within internal service standards.
• PI 1.1.2 Percentage of federal licence holders who indicate they have access to information to help them understand the regulatory requirements.
• PI 1.1.3 Percentage of federally licensed industry that is found to be compliant with regulatory requirements.
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• PI 1.2 Percentage of LERCs completed within negotiated service standards.

Targets

Health Canada

• T 1.1.1.1 2,200
• T 1.1.1.2 75%
• T 1.1.2 80%
• T 1.1.3 80%

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• T 1.2. 75%

Theme 2: Provide Canadians with information needed to make informed decisions and minimize health and safety harms

Expected results

Health Canada

• ER 2.1.1 Canadian youth understand the potential health and safety risks associated with cannabis use.
• ER 2.1.2 Canadians use information to make informed decisions about the potential health and safety risks associated with the use of cannabis.

Public Health Agency of Canada

• ER 2.2.1 Health care and social service professionals and public health officials have access to high-quality public health information.
• ER 2.2.2 Health care and social service professionals and public health officials use information, knowledge and data products related to the public health impacts of cannabis and interventions to address them.

Public Safety Canada

• ER 2.3.1 Canadians are aware of the legal implications associated with cannabis use, and understand the laws associated with the new legislation.
• ER 2.3.2 Canadians use information provided by the program to make informed, lawful decisions.

Performance indicators

Health Canada

• PI 2.1.1 Percentage of youth (grades 7-12) who perceive that there is "no risk" in smoking cannabis on a regular basis.
• PI 2.1.2 Percentage of Canadians who strongly agree or somewhat agree that they have access to enough trustworthy information about the health risks of cannabis to make informed decisions

Public Health Agency of Canada

• PI 2.2.1 Number of health care and social service professionals and public health officials accessing high-quality public health information and data products developed.
• PI 2.2.2 Percentage of Chief Public Health Officer's Health Professionals Forum member organizations using information, knowledge and data products to make informed decisions.

Public Safety Canada

• PI 2.3.1 Percentage of Canadians who indicate that they are aware of the new legislation, and the consequences related to making certain decisions involving cannabis.
• PI 2.3.2 Percentage of Canadians who have indicated that they have made informed, lawful decisions around cannabis that protected themselves, and the safety of others.

Targets

Health Canada

• T 2.1.1 7%
• T 2.1.2 74%

Public Health Agency of Canada

• T 2.2.1 200,000
• T 2.2.2 75%

Public Safety Canada

• T 2.3.1 22%
• T 2.3.2 51% of Canadians who have used cannabis in the past 12 months indicate they usually purchase cannabis from a legal storefront or legal online source

Theme 3: Build law enforcement knowledge and engage partners and stakeholders on public safety

Expected results

Public Safety Canada

• ER 3.1.1 Law enforcement is well-informed to apply the new legislation.
• ER 3.1.2 Evidence-based decision-making on organized crime and policing issues.
• ER 3.1.3 Research projects related to cannabis and performance measurement implemented.
• ER 3.1.4 Policy development and decision-making is informed by evidence and performance measurement.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• ER 3.2.1 RCMP prevention and engagement activities support enhanced understanding among targeted partners and stakeholders, including youth and Indigenous communities.
• ER 3.2.2 Enhanced capacity of target populations, including partners and stakeholders, youth and Indigenous communities, to respond to the new cannabis regime.

Performance indicators

Public Safety Canada

• PI 3.1.1 Percentage of law enforcement knowledgeable about the changes to the new regime, and able to use the legislative framework as a result of the training materials.
• PI 3.1.2.1 Percentage of stakeholders who indicate that the materials informed decision-making.
• PI 3.1.2.2 Number of working meetings and consultations with stakeholders held.
• PI 3.1.2.3 Number of new initiatives considered for implementation.
• PI 3.1.3 Percentage of research projects related to performance measurement completed and disseminated.
• PI 3.1.4 Percentage of stakeholders indicating that policy development and decision-making was based on performance measurement results and lessons learned.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• PI 3.2.1.1 Percentage of targeted federal partners and stakeholders who strongly agree or agree with the statement "RCMP Federal Policing contributes to increased understanding specific to the new cannabis regime, organized crime, and the illicit cannabis market".
• PI 3.2.1.2 Number of information inquiries responded to by the Centre for Youth Crime Prevention.
• PI 3.2.2.1 Percentage of targeted partners/stakeholders who strongly agree or agree with the statement "RCMP Federal Policing contributes to an increased skills/ability to respond to the new cannabis regime".
• PI 3.2.2.2 Percentage of youth resource officers who positively assessed the impact of training.

Targets

Public Safety Canada

• T 3.1.1 33% of frontline police officers access materials 75% of officers with access to materials find the materials helpful.
• T 3.1.2.1 75%
• T 3.1.2.2 15
• T 3.1.2.3 2
• T 3.1.3 100%
• T 3.1.4 50%

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• T 3.2.1.1 45%
• T 3.2.1.2 150
• T 3.2.2.1 30%
• T 3.2.2.2 80%

Theme 4: Provide criminal intelligence, enforcement and related training activities

Expected results

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• ER 4.1.1 Information and intelligence products/advice related to illicit substances (including cannabis) are shared with Canadian law enforcement agencies and available to be used to target organized crime.
• ER 4.1.2 Canadian law enforcement agencies have intelligence information to nationally coordinate activities to target organized crime groups involved in the Canadian cannabis market.
• ER 4.1.3 RCMP staff have access to required training in regards to enforcement of the new cannabis regime.
• ER 4.1.4 RCMP employees have an increased ability to enforce the new cannabis regime.

Performance indicators

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• PI 4.1.1 Percentage or number of RCMP information / intelligence products / advice incorporating organized crime groups' activities in the Canadian cannabis market shared with RCMP senior management, divisions, domestic partners (including Canadian law enforcement) or international partners.
• PI 4.1.2.1 Number of organized crime groups involved in the illicit cannabis market for which there are intelligence gaps is reduced which will result in efficient and accurate targeting by the law enforcement community.
• PI 4.1.2.2 Number or percentage of information and intelligence products that are used to guide enforcement against organized crime groups in the Canadian cannabis market.
• PI 4.1.3 Percentage of target audience who have received the appropriate cannabis related training.
• PI 4.1.4 Percentage of training participants who reported an increased level of knowledge and ability to enforce the new cannabis regime.

Targets

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• T 4.1.1 10
• T 4.1.2.1 TBD by December 31, 2022
• T 4.1.2.2 3
• T 4.1.3 80%
• T 4.1.4 90%

Theme 5: Prevent and interdict prohibited cross-border movement of cannabis while maintaining the flow of legitimate travellers and goods

Expected results

Canada Border Services Agency

• ER 5.1.1 Travellers understand the requirements to declare cannabis and cannabis-related products when entering Canada.
• ER 5.1.2 Travellers are provided a clear opportunity to declare cannabis in their possession at all primary inspection sites.
• ER 5.1.3 CBSA has enhanced capacity to promote compliance and to enforce import-related laws.
• ER 5.1.4 Prohibited cross border movement of cannabis is detected.
• ER 5.1.5 Travellers and the import/export community have access to recourse mechanisms to challenge certain CBSA actions and decisions in a timely manner.

Performance indicators

Canada Border Services Agency

• PI 5.1.1.1 Percentage of ports of entry with displayed signage on cannabis.
• PI 5.1.1.2 CBSA awareness tools are in place to inform travelling public on prohibition of cross-border movement of cannabis.
• PI 5.1.2 Percentage of relevant primary inspection kiosks, systems, training materials, operational guidelines and forms in all modes updated.
• PI 5.1.3 Number of cannabis import interdictions at ports of entry.
• PI 5.1.4 Percentage of referred cannabis samples analyzed within 30 days.
• PI 5.1.5.1 Percentage of appeals received that is acknowledged within 10 calendar days.
• PI 5.1.5.2 Percentage of Enforcement and Trusted Traveller appeals received that is decided within 180 calendar days.
• PI 5.1.5.3 Percentage of Trade related appeals – Tariff Classification – that is decided within 365 calendars days (for cases never held in abeyance).
• PI 5.1.5.4 Percentage of cannabis-related complaints for which the CBSA contacts the complainant within 14 calendar days after a written complaint is received.
• PI 5.1.5.5 Percentage of cannabis-related complaints for which CBSA provides a final written response to the complainant within 40 calendar days after a written complaint is received.

Targets

Canada Border Services Agency

• T 5.1.1.1 75% of major ports and 100% of other priority ports.
• T 5.1.1.2 100% of the digital strategy launched.
• T 5.1.2 100%
• T 5.1.3 10% reduction (+/- 5%) to baseline of 20,933
• T 5.1.4 90%
• T 5.1.5.1 85%
• T 5.1.5.2 70%
• T 5.1.5.3 70%
• T 5.1.5.4 85%
• T 5.1.5.5 90%

Up-Front Multi-Year Funding

Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement

General information

Recipient information

Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement

Start date

1996-97

End date

Not applicable

Link to departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 1: Canada has modern and sustainable health care systems

Link to department's Program Inventory

Program 1: Health Care Systems Analysis and Policy

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF) was established as an independent organization in 1996-97 and renamed the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI) in 2012. In late 2020, CFHI and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute amalgamated their organizations. The amalgamated organization's goal is to: find and promote health care innovators and innovations; drive rapid adoption of proven innovations; enable improvement-oriented systems; and, shape the future of healthcare.

Up-front multi-year funding included:

• 1996-97: A $66.5 million endowment established the CHSRF.

Additional federal grants were provided for the following purposes:

• 1999: $25 million to support a ten-year program to develop capacity for research on nursing recruitment, retention, management, leadership and the issues emerging from health system restructuring (Nursing Research Fund).
• 1999: $35 million to support its participation in the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
• 2003: $25 million to develop a program to equip health system managers and their organizations with the skills to find, assess, interpret and use research to better manage the Canadian health care system (Executive Training for Research Application or EXTRA).

Total funding approved (dollars)

151,500,000

Total funding received (dollars)

1996 – 66,500,000
1999 – 60,000,000
2003 – 25,000,000

Planned funding in 2021–22 (dollars)

0

Planned funding in 2022–23 (dollars)

0

Planned funding in 2023–24 (dollars)

0

Note: CFHI is also reported under the Details on Transfer Payment Programs section of the Supplementary Information Tables.

Summary of recipient's annual plans

The newly amalgamated organization will continue to work with patients, families and caregivers; health and social service providers; governments and other public and private sector organizations to accelerate the identification, spread and scale of proven healthcare innovations.

As amalgamation costs are finalized, the new organization may rely on its remaining up-front multi-year funding to cover amalgamation costs or unfunded liabilities it is bringing into the new organization (e.g., pension liabilities). These funds are being held in reserve to address implications associated with any negative revisions to future funding

Canada Health Infoway

General information

Recipient information

Canada Health Infoway (Infoway)

Start date

March 31, 2001^{Footnote 3}

End date

March 31, 2015^{Footnote 4}

Link to departmental result(s)

• Core Responsibility 1: Health Care Systems
• Result 1: Canada has modern and sustainable health care systems
• Result 2: Canadians have access to appropriate and effective health services

Link to department's Program Inventory

Program 6: Digital Health

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

Canada Health Infoway Inc. is an independent, not-for-profit corporation established in 2001 to accelerate the development of electronic health technologies such as electronic health records (EHRs) and telehealth on a pan-Canadian basis.

Between 2001 and 2010, the Government of Canada committed $2.1 billion to Infoway in the form of grants and up-front multi-year funding consisting of: $500 million in 2001 to strengthen a Canada-wide health infostructure, with the EHR as a priority; $600 million in 2003 to accelerate implementation of the EHR and Telehealth; $100 million in 2004 to support the development of a pan-Canadian health surveillance system; $400 million in 2007 to support continued work on EHRs and wait time reductions; and $500 million in 2010 to support continued implementation of EHRs, implementation of electronic medical records in physicians' offices, and integration of points of service with the EHR system. Infoway invests in electronic health projects in collaboration with a range of partners, in particular provincial and territorial governments, typically on a cost-shared basis. Project payments are made based on the completion of pre-determined milestones.

It is anticipated that Infoway's approach, where federal, provincial and territorial governments participate toward a goal of modernizing electronic health information systems, will reduce costs and improve the quality of health care and patient safety in Canada through coordination of effort, avoidance of duplication and errors, and improved access to patient data.

Total funding approved (dollars)

2,100,000,000

Total funding received (dollars)

2,093,398,112^{Footnote *}

Planned funding in 2021–22 (dollars)

To be determined^{Footnote i}

Planned funding in 2022–23 (dollars)

To be determined^{Footnote i}

Planned funding in 2023–24 (dollars)

To be determined^{Footnote i}

Note: Budget 2017 contribution funding to Infoway is reported under the Details on Transfer Payment Programs section of the Supplementary Information Tables.

Summary of recipient's annual plans

The following is a summary of plans related to up-front multi-year funding.^{Footnote 5}

At its inception in 2010, Infoway received $2.1 billion in up-front multi-year funding from the federal government. This funding was invested in 12 programs (e.g., EMR and EHR) by the Board. Each program was broken down by jurisdictions into smaller projects. As of March 31, 2020, Infoway has spent $2.030 billion of the original $2.1 billion and has made commitments for the remaining $70 million. An estimated $40 million of the $70 million will be spent in 2020-21.

Infoway is currently undertaking its Driving Access to Care Strategy which is comprised of two programs: PrescribeIT and ACCESS Health. To date, 12 jurisdictions have formally agreed to participate in the PrescibeIT program (all except for British Columbia). Infoway has also secured partnerships with several distributers. Infoway also continues to develop its ACCESS Health program. It is currently designing two facets of the program: Access Atlantic and Access Gateway. As a part of the ACCESS Health Program, Infoway is developing a national trust framework to help protect the privacy and manage the consent of patients.