More than ever before, digital technologies are becoming central to the health and well-being of Canadians. This Digital Health Week, we want to recognize how digital health is transforming the delivery of care and improving health outcomes across Canada.
Canadians should be able to securely access their health information electronically, yet currently, only about one third of Canadians can access some of their health information online.
Clinicians also can't easily access or share patient health information, because electronic health care systems don't always connect. This can affect patient safety, add unnecessary or duplicative tests, and result in longer wait times and hospital stays. We all deserve a health care system that allows for the sharing of health information between health professionals-allowing for better care while respecting privacy.
The potential of a digitally-connected health care system for Canadians is significant. Whether it's obtaining a prescription without the need for physical paperwork, or consulting with your doctor from the comfort of your home, digital health care systems and services should be easily accessible whenever and wherever they are needed.
Earlier this year, our government outlined its Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians plan to invest close to $200 billion over 10 years to improve health care for Canadians. Within this funding, $25 billion is allocated through tailored bilateral agreements to address the unique needs of their populations and advance shared health priorities with each province and territory. These bilateral agreements include commitments by all levels of government to improve how health information is collected, shared, used and reported to Canadians to ensure greater transparency on results and help better manage public health events.
Work is already underway in Canada to improve digital health through the adoption of a Joint Action Plan on Health Data and Digital Health and Pan-Canadian Health Data Charter, which have been co-developed and agreed to last month with our provincial and territorial counterparts. These provide a path forward for working together over the coming years to implement consistent approaches and policies so that people living across Canada can more easily access their health information and benefit from it being securely shared across care settings. This puts people and populations at the core of all decisions about the disclosure, access and use of their health information. As coordinated efforts proceed, Canadians can be assured that the collecting and sharing of depersonalized information will ensure safeguards are in place to protect their privacy.
This work will be guided by the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap led by Canada Health Infoway, in collaboration with key partners and provinces and territories. The Roadmap will support the development and adoption of common standards to better connect health care systems and allow Canadians and their health care providers to securely access electronic health information across provinces and territories.
Digital health also plays an important role to support mental health. During the pandemic, our government launched Wellness Together Canada (WTC), an online portal which offers free, virtual mental health and substance use resources and supports to Canadians. To further digitally support mental health wellness and prevent bullying and cyberbullying, we provided funding towards the Kids Help Phone to support the mental wellness of young people from Indigenous, Black, newcomer, rural, remote, and underserved communities across Canada.
Advancing digital health is critical for Canadians to have access their own health information so they can easily navigate the health care system, all while providing information on how their health systems are performing. On this Digital Health Week, our government reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that Canadians can rely on a digital health network rooted in transparency and privacy.
The Honourable Mark Holland, P.C., M.P.
The Honourable Ya'ara Saks, P.C., M.P.
