How do we make sure Canadians’ health information is available where and when they need care?
At the Health Data Summit, we explored this question alongside the opportunities for responsible AI, research, and investment. For us at Wilson&Wilbur, a few takeaways stood out.
Connected care needs clear standards.
Bill S-5, the proposed Connected Care for Canadians Act, would require health technology vendors to support interoperability and prohibit data blocking, while respecting applicable privacy laws. It is still before Parliament, but it represents an important step toward making secure information sharing an expectation across health systems. Bill S-5
Provincial progress needs to connect nationally.
Nova Scotia’s experience was particularly compelling. The discussion highlighted how starting with patients’ needs, and addressing legislative and organizational barriers, has helped improve access to health information.
The next challenge is connecting that progress across Canada. Provinces and territories can start from different places, but a national approach needs common standards and minimum requirements for secure exchange, privacy, and timely access, with clear accountability for meeting them. Canadians move, travel, and receive care across provincial borders. Their health information should follow them securely.The Pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap and proposed Bill S-5 support this direction. Health Canada
Trust needs to grow alongside adoption.
People need understandable answers about how their information is used, how it is protected, and who remains accountable when AI supports care.
Canada’s Voluntary Code of Conduct for advanced generative AI outlines commitments to safety, transparency, fairness, and human oversight. The National AI Literacy Initiative is also rolling out free learning opportunities to help Canadians understand AI, recognize its risks, and make informed choices. These efforts address both how AI is developed and how people understand its use. Responsible AI Code | AI Literacy Initiative
Collaboration needs a clear purpose.
Government, healthcare providers, researchers, industry, and patients all have a role. Better-connected data can support clinical research, attract investment, and help bring new ideas into practice. Partnerships need clear objectives, practical ways to work together, and measures of success that matter to patients.
We left the summit encouraged by the progress and conscious of the work ahead. The test will be whether Canadians experience better continuity of care, easier access to their information, and confidence in how it is used.
The W&W Team
Sources
Government of Canada. (n.d.). Voluntary code of conduct on the responsible development and management of advanced generative AI systems. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/voluntary-code-conduct-responsible-development-and-management-advanced-generative-ai-systems
Health Canada. (2026, February 4). The Government of Canada introduces legislation to build a more connected health care system. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/02/the-government-of-canada-introduces-legislation-to-build-a-more-connected-health-care-system.html
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. (2026, September 9). Government of Canada launches National AI Literacy Initiative. https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2026/09/government-of-canada-launches-national-ai-literacy-initiative.html
Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness. (2026, June 25). Lab results now available sooner through YourHealthNS. Government of Nova Scotia. https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2026/06/25/lab-results-now-available-sooner-through-yourhealthns
Parliament of Canada. (n.d.). Bill S-5: Connected Care for Canadians Act (45th Parliament, 1st session). LEGISinfo. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/45-1/s-5
