Message from the Minister of Health – National Pain Awareness Week

While everyone experiences pain at some point in their lives, for one in five people in Canada, pain is not temporary — it’s part of their everyday life. Today marks the beginning of National Pain Awareness Week, an opportunity to recognize the severe impact chronic pain can have on people’s lives, and share resources available to support those living with this complex health issue.

November 3, 2025 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada

While everyone experiences pain at some point in their lives, for one in five people in Canada, pain is not temporary — it’s part of their everyday life. Today marks the beginning of National Pain Awareness Week, an opportunity to recognize the severe impact chronic pain can have on people’s lives, and share resources available to support those living with this complex health issue.

Approximately eight million people in Canada live with chronic pain, a condition that affects some groups even more, such as women, Indigenous Peoples, military personnel and veterans, as well as people working in physically demanding jobs. Given that chronic pain is largely invisible, those affected can feel stigmatized and isolated, which may make it harder for them to seek the support they need.

We know that when pain goes unmanaged, it can take a heavy toll on people's mental and physical health, impacting individuals, families and communities alike. Unmanaged pain can also sometimes lead people to turn to harmful ways to manage their pain, like higher-risk substance use. No one should have to face that alone.

The Government of Canada is advancing priorities identified by the Canadian Pain Task Force to better understand, prevent and manage chronic pain. We are supporting the development of guidance and resources for health care professionals, the establishment of the Pain Canada initiative and updated recommendations on the use of opioids to manage chronic non-cancer pain.

Our new government is working with provincial and territorial partners, health professionals and most importantly people living with pain and pain experts. Together, I am confident that we will be able to achieve better health outcomes and quality of life for people living with pain.

For more information on tools to help manage chronic pain, visit Chronic pain - Canada.ca.

The Honourable Marjorie Michel, P.C., M.P.

Contacts

Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca

Public Inquiries
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709