New funding will support evidence-informed solutions to help more Canadians access the care they need, when they need it.
While important efforts are underway to strengthen primary care across Canada, too many people in Canada still struggle to get basic health care. In 2024, 17% of Canadian adults and 11% of children and youth did not have access to a regular health care provider. This increases pressure on emergency departments and contributes to inequities in health outcomes across the country.
To help close the gap, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced today that the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is investing $3 million to accelerate practical, evidence-based improvements in primary care in partnership with Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC). This funding will support:
- The Canadian Primary Care Research Consortium (CPCRC), a national network of researchers, clinicians, decision makers, and patients working to strengthen primary care; and,
- Primary care delivery teams across Canada participating in Care Forward - a pan-Canadian movement supported by HEC and partner organizations that brings changemakers together to share knowledge and apply proven approaches to improve care.
By supporting both the CPCRC and Care Forward, this investment will help ensure that primary care innovations are implemented with the best available evidence on what works and translate quickly into better care for Canadians. Specifically, it:
- Strengthens the implementation of primary care innovations that improve access to care and ease pressure on emergency departments.
- Generates real-time evidence on the impact of new approaches to care.
- Supports the adoption of successful care models across Canada.
Together, CIHR, HEC and CPCRC are helping health care teams identify what works best, where, and for whom-so more people can receive timely, high-quality primary care.
