Government of Canada Introduces Bill S-5 to connect Health systems.

The Government of Canada has introduced Bill S-5, the Connected Care for Canadians Act, aimed at modernising the country’s digital health care systems and improving how health information is shared across the system.

The proposed legislation responds to long-standing challenges caused by disconnected health information systems. Currently, only 29 per cent of health care providers in Canada are able to securely and seamlessly share electronic health information outside their own offices. As a result, fax machines remain widely used, and many Canadians must carry printed copies of their medical records — practices that lag behind digital standards adopted in other sectors decades ago.

Bill S-5 seeks to address these gaps by enabling different digital health systems to connect through common standards. At its core, the legislation focuses on patient safety, ensuring that health care providers have timely access to accurate information when delivering care. It is also designed to help Canada keep pace with emerging international standards in digital health and remain globally competitive.

“Timely and secure access to personal health information is critical to saving lives and improving care for Canadians. The Connected Care for Canadians Act is about empowering Canadians to securely access their own health data, so patients and those involved in their care have the information they need to make the right decisions at the right time. This legislation is a critical step towards a more connected health care system that supports all Canadians.” – The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health of Canada

If passed, the Act would require information technology companies that provide digital health services in Canada to adopt common standards that support secure and protected information exchange across systems. This would give Canadians greater confidence that their medical records are safe, secure, and accessible both for their own use and for their health care providers.

The health care sector is one of the fastest-growing areas of Canada’s economy. By establishing a modern digital foundation, the legislation is intended to support the adoption of artificial intelligence and other innovations that can improve patient care, increase system efficiency, and create new economic opportunities for Canadian companies.

The Government of Canada is working closely with provincial and territorial partners on the development of regulations under the Act. This collaboration aims to ensure the secure sharing of Canadians’ health data, improve patient outcomes, and uphold existing privacy protections.