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Canadian Public Health Association

Strengthening Public Health Systems in Canada

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PUBLIC HEALTH MATTERS

Canada’s fragmented public health systems have long been a source of concern, and the COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical weaknesses in the country’s ability to deliver cohesive, high-quality public health services. Strengthening public health systems is now a priority, and the Canadian federal government has a crucial role to play in ensuring a unified and effective approach that keeps Canadians healthy, prevents disease, and reduces the burden on acute healthcare systems.

A Higher Standard

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted critical gaps in Canada’s public health infrastructure, from insufficient funding and workforce shortages to inconsistent data-sharing practices. Strengthening public health systems is essential to addressing future health crises and improving overall population health (Canadian Public Health Association, 2023).

Public health spending in Canada accounts for only 5.7% of total health expenditures, despite strong evidence that investments in public health reduce overall healthcare costs and improve long-term health outcomes (Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2024).

It’s time for Canada to do better.

A Call for Federal Leadership in Public Health

The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) has called for the federal government to lead efforts in building more cohesive, accountable public health systems across the country. The current patchwork of provincial, territorial, and regional systems has created gaps in service delivery, undermining health outcomes and contributing to inequities. Federal leadership is essential to address these gaps and ensure that public health investments are used efficiently and effectively.

Why It Matters

A strong public health system benefits everyone in Canada by preventing illness, reducing healthcare costs, and improving quality of life:

  • Preventable diseases strain the healthcare system: Chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses are responsible for 89% of deaths in Canada, many of which could be mitigated through public health interventions (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2024).
  • Pandemic preparedness is essential: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for better emergency preparedness, with reports indicating that Canada was underprepared due to years of underfunding and fragmented public health policies (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2025).
  • Health inequities persist: Structural barriers prevent equitable access to healthcare and public health resources, disproportionately affecting structurally disadvantaged communities (National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health, 2023).
  • Investments in public health save money: Every dollar spent on public health saves between $7 and $10 in future healthcare costs (Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2024).

Policy Solutions for the Next Federal Government

  • Establish Core Functions of Public Health Systems: Convene provincial and territorial governments to create a pan-Canadian statement of core public health functions, establishing a shared commitment to the mandate of public health services.
  • Develop Population Health Goals: Work as a partner with provincial and territorial governments to translate agreed-upon core public health functions into a set of high-level population health goals specifying outcomes that public health services will be accountable to deliver for Canadian populations.
  • Support Public Health Workforce Development: Lead consultations on a pan-Canadian training program for public health professionals based on a renewed set of public health competencies. Fund the development of training programs that equip public health professionals with the skills they need to respond to modern public health challenges.
  • Reshape Governance Structures: Strengthen the governance and accountability of public health systems to ensure that public health services are effectively coordinated across jurisdictions.

Questions for the Candidates

  • Will your party increase long-term federal funding for public health infrastructure?
  • How will your party ensure that Canada’s public health systems are cohesive and accountable across provinces and territories?
  • What steps will your party take to strengthen Canada’s public health workforce?
  • How will your party improve data-sharing and coordination among health agencies?

Resources