Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP)
As of April 1, 2026, this program is now the Community Action for Prenatal and Child Health Program (CAPCHP). CAPCHP brings together the Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) and the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) into one unified program.
Projects in the province of Quebec will continue to be funded under CPNP until March 31, 2028.
The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) provides funding to community groups to help to improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers and their babies, who face challenges that put their health at risk, such as:
- Poverty
- Teen pregnancy
- Social and geographic isolation
- Substance use
- Family violence
The Public Health Agency of Canada currently funds 230 CPNP projects serving approximately 41,000 pregnant people, parents and caregivers across Canada each year.
Goals of the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program
Improve the health of women and their babies by:
- Increasing the number of babies born at a healthy weight
- Promoting and supporting breastfeeding
Promote and create partnerships within communities to:
- Strengthen community capacity
- Increase support for vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers
Ensure culturally sensitive prenatal support for:
- Indigenous women
- Recent immigrants
Types of support
CPNP sites adapt their activities to meet the needs of the people they serve. Their programs may include:
- Nutrition counselling
- Prenatal vitamins
- Food and food coupons
- Food preparation training
- Counselling in prenatal health and lifestyle
- Breastfeeding education and support
- Education and support on infant care and child development
- Referrals to other agencies and services
Evaluating the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program
Funding
All funding for CPNP projects is currently committed.