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Antimicrobial resistance: What Canada's doing

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious health threat and a leading cause of death worldwide. We're working with provincial and territorial governments to address antimicrobial resistance and to promote responsible antimicrobial use.

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Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance

In June 2023, the federal Minister of Health and Minister of Agriculture released the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, developed with the provinces and territories. The action plan explains what we'll do to address antimicrobial resistance between 2023 and 2027.

We've identified 10 priority actions to guide federal, provincial and territorial governments in 5 key areas:

  • Research and innovation
  • Surveillance
  • Stewardship
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Leadership

A steering committee made up of federal, provincial and territorial representatives are helping implement the action plan across Canada. This committee includes government representatives from public health, animal health and agriculture sectors.

Our approach to carrying out the plan considers the connections between the health of:

  • humans
  • animals
  • plants and crops
  • shared environments

We're also taking equity into account as we carry out action plan activities. This way we can address inequities in how antimicrobial resistance affects some groups of people more than others.

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Antimicrobial resistance funding

We provide research funding through various programs, as well as through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Antimicrobial resistance has been one of the institutes' priorities since 2000. They created the AMR Research Initiative after the release of the 2015 federal budget, which gave them $1.8 million in annual grant funds. The initiative has used this money to fund research in areas like:

  • diagnostics
  • antimicrobial discovery
  • antimicrobial alternatives

The 2021 federal budget included over $28 million over 5 years, plus $5.7 million for each following year, to:

  • expand monitoring efforts
  • promote appropriate antimicrobial use

The 2023 federal budget also helped to fund a pilot project for new antimicrobials in Canada. We'll use the results of this pilot as we develop a longer-term approach to making sure people in Canada have sustainable access to new antimicrobials.

We're also helping to fund global antimicrobial resistance initiatives. In May 2023, we invested $6.3 million in the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator. This international non-profit partnership funds antibacterial products that combat drug-resistant bacteria.

In October 2022, we contributed to SECURE, an international program that makes access to life-saving antibiotics easier and more equitable.

We've also joined Horizon Europe, the largest research and innovation funding program in the world. This gives people in Canada greater access to research partnerships, funding and leadership opportunities.

We also contribute to antimicrobial resistance research and innovation by researching:

  • how antimicrobial resistance develops and spreads
  • new technologies and methods for identifying resistant bacteria

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Monitoring antimicrobial resistance

We monitor antimicrobial resistance because it has many negative impacts, including on:

  • health and healthcare systems
  • the economy
  • industries like agriculture

Antimicrobial resistance is a leading cause of death worldwide and causes roughly 5,400 deaths each year in Canada. These impacts are expected to get worse as antimicrobials lose their effectiveness.

We use public health monitoring systems to:

  • identify new antimicrobial resistance threats
  • watch out for changes to patterns of antimicrobial resistance and use

The Canadian Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System presents data on antimicrobial resistance and use in hospital, community and animal settings. The system collects this information from surveillance systems and laboratory reference services that cover humans, animals and food. We then use that information when making public health decisions.

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How we support responsible antimicrobial use

Responsible use in humans

We develop guidance for:

  • infection prevention and control
  • appropriate antimicrobial use for health professionals and the public

This can include guidance for:

  • treatment
  • infection prevention and control
  • proper hand washing programs, policies and procedures

We aim to help people better understand antimicrobial resistance and foster better use of antimicrobials. This will make sure that the public is protected both at home and abroad. This is a shared effort with partners like:

  • industry sectors
  • Indigenous partners
  • provinces and territories
  • other countries and global organizations
  • hospitals, patients and healthcare professionals

We will continue to share information with the public and those who provide healthcare services. This information includes:

  • the best antimicrobial drugs for treating certain conditions
  • when and how to use antimicrobials, such as making sure products are labelled with proper instructions on appropriate use

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Responsible use in animals

We work with veterinarians, industry and food-animal producing sectors to promote, improve and monitor responsible antimicrobial use.

To support animal health and welfare, including responsible antimicrobial use, we're:

  • supporting implementation of on-farm biosecurity practices
  • encouraging animal hygiene and livestock raising practices that:
    • help to prevent and treat diseases
    • reduce the need for antimicrobials
  • funding research and facilitating access to vaccines and alternatives to antimicrobials
  • supporting the development of on-farm food safety programs, including guidance on the responsible use of antimicrobials

We're also using data from monitoring programs to:

  • explain trends with reports, presentations and dashboards
  • analyze trends in antimicrobial use and resistance to specific bacteria

We also create awareness and education campaigns that:

  • promote prudent use
  • help sectors adapt to regulatory and policy initiatives

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