In a significant move aimed at enhancing the connectivity of Canada’s healthcare system, the federal government has proposed new legislation designed to facilitate easier sharing of medical records and various other health-related data between healthcare providers and patients.
This proposed law, known as Bill S-5 or the Connected Care for Canadians Act, was introduced in the Senate on Wednesday and bears resemblance to a previous bill, Bill C-72, which was put forth by the prior Liberal administration in 2024 but ultimately became obsolete when Parliament was suspended ahead of last year’s elections.
The essence of this new legislation mandates that all health technology companies adhere to standardized protocols, thereby allowing for the secure transfer of information not only between different healthcare systems but also directly to patients themselves. This initiative builds upon a framework established by Canada Health Infoway—a national nonprofit organization—and has gained the backing of various provincial and territorial governments.
Moreover, the act aims to prevent these companies from obstructing the transfer of health data. This concern was spotlighted in a recent report from the Competition Bureau, released in January, which highlighted the challenges faced by medical clinics. They often encounter extensive delays or receive incomprehensible data dumps when attempting to switch software providers.
It’s important to note, however, that the government has clarified that this legislation will not lead to the creation of a centralized health data repository. Instead, it will apply solely in provinces and territories that do not enact their own specific legislation.
Such standards are not entirely novel; many countries, including Australia and various members of the European Union, already employ similar practices. Alarmingly, only 29% of healthcare providers in Canada securely share electronic information, according to Health Canada.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Health Minister Marjorie Michel expressed her concerns about the reliance on paper records and the significant hurdles to data sharing. "In a G7 country like Canada in 2026, we simply cannot accept such inefficiencies," she stated. "Our aim is to dismantle these silos, thereby reforming the rules and developing the robust health data infrastructure that Canadians rightfully deserve."
The government has further included commitments regarding health data sharing in its latest funding agreements with provinces, established in 2023.
Last year, The Globe and Mail’s Secret Canada series conducted an investigation that shed light on the disjointed nature of Canada’s medical records system, revealing how these inefficiencies squander vital healthcare resources and could even result in medical errors. Patients often face difficulty in accessing their own medical records, which can be scattered across doctors’ offices, hospitals, pharmacies, and various other locations. This fragmentation complicates the sharing of information, forcing physicians to waste hours re-entering data or ordering unnecessary duplicate tests due to lack of access to previously completed examinations.
Margot Burnell, the president of the Canadian Medical Association, which advocates on behalf of physicians, raised concerns about the consequences of the current inability to easily exchange records among healthcare providers. She noted that this situation could lead to subpar care for patients. For instance, she described a common scenario where a patient arrives at an emergency room experiencing pain, is subsequently referred to a cardiologist, and finally sent back to their family doctor for follow-up care. However, that family physician might lack access to critical treatment details provided during the patient’s earlier visits.
"This issue is profoundly important," Dr. Burnell emphasized.
Additionally, in January, the Canadian Medical Association published a survey involving 1,924 doctors, and an overwhelming majority—90% or more—reported that excessive paperwork was a significant burden affecting their professional lives, leading to burnout and disrupting their work-life balance.
The survey also indicated that many physicians are eager for technological advancements that could alleviate the strain of unnecessary administrative tasks. For example, 45% of respondents identified artificial intelligence applications, such as transcription tools, as high-priority solutions. Those who have already begun using AI reported saving up to an hour of work each day.
