Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
www.tbs-sct.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Breadcrumb Trail
ARCHIVED - Health Canada - Report
This page has been archived.
Archived Content
Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats on the "Contact Us" page.
Minister's Message
I am pleased to present Health Canada's 2012-2013 Report on Plans and Priorities, outlining the Department's priorities for the next three years. Our evolving priorities are consistent with the ongoing efforts to support Canada's population to be among the healthiest in the world.
Over the next three years, Health Canada will continue to be a leader in promoting health system accountability, sustainability and innovation. To address emerging pressures on the Canadian health care system, the Department will work alongside health partners, including the provinces and territories, to concentrate our attention in areas such as health human resources, electronic health records, and wait time reductions. The Department will also collaborate with others to ensure that the system remains responsive to the needs of Canadians.
The Department will continue to effectively deliver quality First Nations and Inuit health programming. Over the past year we have worked with our partners on a First Nations and Inuit Health Strategic Plan, which will guide our efforts in this priority area. We will maintain a focus on primary care and public health service delivery models by putting interdisciplinary teams in place to ensure access to a continuum of services. We will strengthen collaboration with provinces, territories, and with First Nations and Inuit communities to ensure quality service delivery. We will implement the recently signed British Columbia Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nations Health Governance. Health Canada will improve the quality and availability of comprehensive mental health and addictions services by focusing on the effectiveness and efficiency of our programs in this area. And, we will continue to support effective delivery of Non-Insured Health Benefits to eligible First Nations and Inuit.
We recently released the report, Action on Weatherill Report Recommendations to Strengthen the Food Safety System: Final Report to Canadians, which outlines the actions taken by the Government of Canada to implement all of the recommendations made by the Independent Investigator, Ms. Sheila Weatherill. In planning for the future, Health Canada will focus on modernizing health-protection frameworks to encourage innovation, reduce the burden of regulatory compliance, and support co-operation among major trading partners.
Transparency, participation, and collaboration are values that guide Health Canada's contributions to the Government of Canada's Open Government Initiative. Particularly with respect to the Open Dialogue component of the initiative, we will maintain a high quality Web presence and strive for effective consultations with Canadians to inform our decisions in key areas of commitment.
Health Canada is committed to improving the alignment of resources to priorities, to effective program delivery, and to helping Canadians maintain and improve their health. I am confident that, by carrying out the plans described in this Report, we will have a positive impact on the health system and ultimately, on the overall health of Canadians. I look forward to continuing our work with Canadians across the country to achieving our priorities.
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Health
Section I: Organizational Overview
Raison d'être
Health Canada plays various roles that help Canadians to maintain and improve their health and contribute to strengthening Canada's record as a country with one of the healthiest populations in the world.
Responsibilities
First, as a regulator, Health Canada is responsible for the regulatory regimes governing the safety of products including food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, natural health products, consumer products, chemicals, radiation emitting devices, cosmetics and pesticides. It also regulates tobacco products and controlled substances, public health on aircraft, ships and other passenger conveyances, and helps manage the health risks posed by environmental factors such as air, water, radiation and contaminants.
The Department is also a service provider. For First Nations and Inuit, Health Canada supports: basic primary care services in remote and isolated communities and public health programs including communicable disease control (outside the Territories); home and community care; and, community-based health programs focusing on children and youth, mental health and addictions. The Department also provides a limited range of medically-necessary, health-related goods and services to eligible First Nations and Inuit that are not otherwise provided through other public programs or private insurance plans.
Health Canada is a catalyst for innovation, a funder, and an information provider in Canada's health system. It works closely with provincial and territorial governments to develop national approaches to health system issues, and promotes the pan-Canadian adoption of best practices. It administers the Canada Health Act, which embodies national principles to ensure a universal and equitable, publicly-funded health care system. It provides policy support for the federal government's Canada Health Transfer to provinces and territories, and provides funding through grants and contributions to various organizations to help meet overall health system objectives. The Department draws on leading-edge science and policy research to generate and share knowledge and information to support decision-making by Canadians, the development and implementation of regulations and standards, and health innovation.
Strategic Outcomes and Program Activity Architecture (PPA)
Strategic Outcome 1: Health System Responsive to the Needs of Canadians
- Program Activity 1.1 Canadian Health System
- Program Activity 1.2 Specialized Health Services
- Program Activity 1.3 Official Language Minority Community Development
Strategic Outcome 2: Canadians are informed of and protected from health risks associated with food, products and substances and environments, and are informed of the benefits of healthy eating
- Program Activity 2.1 Health Products
- Program Activity 2.2 Food Safety and Nutrition
- Program Activity 2.3 Environmental Risks to Health [Theme I] [Theme II]
- Program Activity 2.4 Consumer Products Safety
- Program Activity 2.5 Substance Use and Abuse
- Program Activity 2.6 Radiation Protection [Theme I]
- Program Activity 2.7 Pesticide Safety
Strategic Outcome 3: First Nations and Inuit communities and individuals receive health services and benefits that are responsive to their needs so as to improve their health status
- Program Activity 3.1 First Nations and Inuit Primary Health Care [Theme I] [Theme II]
- Program Activity 3.2 Supplementary Health Benefits for First Nations and Inuit
- Program Activity 3.3 Health Infrastructure Support for First Nations and Inuit
Internal Services [Theme IV]
The Health Canada Program Activity Architecture supports achievement of three of four themes in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy:
- Theme I:
- Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality
- Theme II:
- Maintaining Water Quality and Availability
- Theme IV:
- Shrinking the Environment Footprint - Beginning with Government
Organizational Priorities
Priority I - Promote Health System Innovation
Type: Ongoing
Links to Strategic Outcome(s): 1, 2 and 3
Why is this a priority?
The health care system is vital to addressing the health needs of Canadians wherever they live and whatever their financial circumstances. Given the importance of the health system to Canadians, Health Canada places a priority on working with partners to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and accountability of the system. Health Canada has an important contribution to make as the health system faces sustainability and other challenges from such issues as the growth of health technologies, shifting consumer demands, and demographic changes. Addressing these challenges requires leadership to ensure the availability of better health information and policy advice, and to engage effective inter-jurisdictional and inter-organizational cooperation in a context in which governments are recognizing that their fiscal capacity is becoming limited. Governments need to continue working towards health system sustainability. Innovation is needed to support health care accessibility at less cost.
Plans for meeting the priority:
- Work with provinces, territories and other health care partners on health system renewal and sustainability
- Facilitate the integration of internationally educated health professionals into the Canadian health workforce
- Collaborate with stakeholder organizations to support health system innovation
Priority II - Modernize Health Protection Legislation and Programs
Type: Ongoing
Links to Strategic Outcome(s): 2
Why is this a priority?
Health Canada is responsible for a regulatory regime for products in the everyday lives of Canadians, including food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, natural health products, chemicals, radiation emitting devices, cosmetics, and pesticides. As well, Health Canada helps to manage the risks posed by environmental factors, and the health implications of air quality, water quality, radiation, and environmental contaminants. Rapid technological change, the advent of products that blur traditional definitions, and incorporate innovative components, challenge the Department's ability to carry out its health and safety mandate. To address this challenge, the Department will continue to modernize its regulatory programs. Health Canada must continue to review and update the user fees that help to fund many regulatory activities, in order to ensure alignment with the costs of providing services.
Plans for meeting the priority:
- Protect the health and safety of Canadians while reviewing and updating our regulatory frameworks
- Contribute to the Government of Canada's efforts to reduce regulatory compliance burden and support co-operation with major trading partners
- Communicate clearly with citizens, the private sector and other partners to support an effective and transparent regulatory system for health protection
Priority III - Strengthen First Nations and Inuit Health Programming
Type: Ongoing
Links to Strategic Outcome(s): 3
Why is this a priority?
While health outcomes for most Canadians are improving, First Nations and Inuit continue to experience serious health challenges. Health Canada plays an important role in supporting the delivery of, and access to, health programs and services for First Nations and Inuit. The Department works with partners on innovative approaches to strengthen access, better integration of health services, and encourages greater control of health care delivery by First Nations and Inuit. Many departmental strategies have evolved to correspond to the health needs of First Nations and Inuit. In addition, the Department has been working with partners to develop a Strategic Plan for the Department's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, which is intended to provide a stronger sense of coherence and direction for the Branch's activities, and demonstrate how they collectively contribute to improve health outcomes for First Nations and Inuit.
Plans for meeting the priority:
- Strengthen primary care and public health service delivery models, including implementing interdisciplinary teams to ensure access to a continuum of services
- Continue collaborative efforts with provinces/territories and First Nations and Inuit to ensure quality service delivery, and implement the British Columbia Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nations Health Governance
- Improve quality and availability of comprehensive mental health and addictions services, including defining service levels, standards and indicators
- Emphasise collaborative/horizontal work with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) and other key partners, and focus on strengthening data and information
- Support sustainable delivery of Non-Insured Health Benefits to eligible First Nations and Inuit
Priority IV - Align resources to priorities in a way that is flexible and forward-looking
Type: Ongoing
Links to Strategic Outcome(s): 1, 2 and 3
Why is this a priority?
The Government has committed to restrain the operational spending of all departments and agencies. Given an extensive range of legislated responsibilities, an active policy and program agenda and the need for significant investments in the infrastructure to support core departmental operations and programming, Health Canada is committed to identifying efficiencies and reallocating resources to deliver the best results possible and provide value for money.
Plans for meeting the priority:
- Continue to use investment planning to advance priorities
- Support the Health Canada workforce through a period of transformation
Priority V - Improve Management Supports for Effective Program Delivery
Type: Ongoing
Links to Strategic Outcome(s): 1, 2 and 3
Why is this a priority?
Service in Health Canada takes many forms - from ensuring access by Canadians to high-quality departmental programs and services - to effective internal operations to deliver results for Canadians based on value for money. The Department is committed to focusing improvements to service delivery in support of core programs, and establishing and tracking the accountability mechanisms necessary for service improvement.
Plans for meeting the priority:
- Develop, implement and monitor service standards to support more efficient departmental operations
- Focus investments in information management and technology to enable core business processes and priorities
Priority VI - Increase transparency and innovative communications and engagement with Canadians
Type: Ongoing
Links to Strategic Outcome(s): 1, 2 and 3
Why is this a priority?
Canadians have rising expectations in terms of their ability to influence government choices and their ability to gain easy access to the information they need to live healthier lives. Health Canada is committed to engaging Canadians to ensure that its policies, programs and services reflect citizen priorities and perspectives, and to using the internet and new technological tools to make information easily accessible.
Plans for meeting the priority:
- Maintain a high quality web presence while ensuring accessibility for all Canadians
- Continue to improve the openness and transparency of communications and consultation practices to support the Government of Canada's Open Government Initiative
Risk Analysis
Operating in a dynamic and complex environment, Health Canada uses integrated risk management, including the annual development of a Corporate Risk Profile, to recognize, understand, accommodate and capitalize on new challenges and opportunities. The Department has identified six critical risk areas to achieving the Department's Strategic Outcomes for 2012-13.
Health and Environment: Health Canada assesses risks to the health of Canadians and to the environment that may have particular relevance to its departmental mandate. One such risk that is being addressed is nursing shortages in First Nations and Inuit communities where the Department is responsible for health services. Another risk is the strength of foresight capacity to identify and quickly address incidents that may harm the health of Canadians.
Financial: The Department faces ongoing financial risks because much of its business is demand-driven, which limits the certainty in budget planning. In order to respond, Health Canada uses a robust financial planning infrastructure to track and address emerging cost challenges and achieve the best use of resources.
Human Resources: Canada has a competitive labour market, particularly for highly-specialized health talent. The Department is responding with innovative human resources strategies such as a Talent Management Strategy, recruitment programs and development programs.
Legislation and Regulation: Health Canada's legislated and regulatory responsibilities are challenging given the increasing globalized and innovative health and food product marketplace that exists, featuring many new products. The Department is responding by supporting the modernization of Canada's legislative frameworks and by using international collaboration to ensure optimal responses to new and emerging issues.
Infrastructure: Health Canada sees the program dependence on robust and responsive Information Technology (IT) as a particular risk. The Department is implementing Information Technology and Information Management policies, along with targeted investments, to ensure that IT infrastructure and services keep pace with program demands.
Reputation: Health Canada is responsible for providing health information to Canadians so that they can make informed choices. Canadians need to be able to trust and have ready access to that advice and guidance. The Department will continue to work with partners to ensure that information is easy to find, accurate and timely.
Planning Summary
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| The decrease in planned spending from 2012-13 to 2013-14 is primarily associated with the sunsetting of some programs. The increase in planned spending from 2013-14 to 2014-15 is primarily associated with demographic drivers. | ||
| 3,364.4 | 3,330.3 | 3,340.0 |
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| The decrease in Human Resources is primarily associated with the sunsetting of some programs. | ||
| 10,073 | 10,015 | 10,004 |
Strategic Outcome 1: A Health System Responsive to the Needs of Canadians
| Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|
# of new or modified health system policies, proposals or practices to advance health system priorities by:
|
Increased # of policies, practices and proposals put forward in order to address health system priorities |
| Examples of collaborative working arrangement that address health system priorities | Better and increased collaboration among Health Canada and health system stakeholders |
| Program Activity | Forecast Spending 2011-12 |
Planned Spending | Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |||
| The decrease in total planned spending is primarily associated with the sunsetting of some programs. | |||||
| Canadian Health System | 312.8 | 310.5 | 320.6 | 288.8 | Healthy Canadians |
| Specialized Health Services | 25.1 | 21.7 | 21.7 | 21.7 | |
| Official Language Minority Community Development | 39.3 | 39.9 | 23.7 | 23.7 | |
| Total Planned Spending | 372.1 | 366.0 | 334.2 | ||
Strategic Outcome 2: Canadians are informed of and protected from health risks associated with food, products, substances and environments, and are informed of the benefits of healthy eating
| Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|
| % of target audience aware of the health risks associated with food, products, substances and environments, and of the benefits of healthy eating. Note: Should Public Opinion Research (POR) data be unavailable to support reporting on awareness, performance data on information outputs will be used as proxy performance measures. |
See performance indicator details for program activities:
|
% and # of timely regulatory actions by:
|
See performance indicator details for program activities:
|
Level of exposure or prevalence by:
|
See performance indicator details for program activities:
|
| Program Activity | Forecast Spending 2011-12 |
Planned Spending | Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |||
| The decrease in total planned spending is primarily associated with the sunsetting of some programs. | |||||
| Health Products | 171.4 | 158.9 | 159.1 | 155.5 | Healthy Canadians |
| Food Safety and Nutrition | 67.0 | 53.1 | 53.4 | 54.5 | |
| Environmental Risks to Health | 119.7 | 115.4 | 115.1 | 114.1 | |
| Consumer Products Safety | 32.8 | 33.4 | 33.4 | 33.4 | |
| Substance Use and Abuse | 139.1 | 131.0 | 108.2 | 108.2 | |
| Radiation Protection | 7.4 | 7.4 | 7.4 | 7.4 | |
| Pesticide Safety | 42.7 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 39.0 | |
| Total Planned Spending | 538.2 | 515.6 | 512.1 | ||
Strategic Outcome 3: First Nations and Inuit communities and individuals receive health services and benefits that are responsive to their needs so as to improve their health status
| Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|
| Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program utilization rate (percentage of eligible clients who accessed at least one NIHB benefit) | Maintain access levels according to medical necessity |
| % of the on-reserve population who rate their own health status as excellent or very good | Maintain existing levels |
| # of First Nations and Inuit engaged in the control, design, development and delivery of health programs and services based on their own identified needs | 5% increase over 5 years |
| Program Activity | Forecast Spending 2011-12 |
Planned Spending | Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |||
| The increase in total planned spending is primarily associated with demographic drivers. | |||||
| First Nations and Inuit Primary Health Care | 973.1 | 891.7 | 890.5 | 908.0 | Healthy Canadians |
| Supplementary Health Benefits for First Nations and Inuit | 1,169.0 | 1,006.9 | 1,030.3 | 1,054.5 | |
| Health Infrastructure Support for First Nations and Inuit | 273.6 | 272.1 | 252.3 | 256.2 | |
| Total Planned Spending | 2,170.7 | 2,173.1 | 2,218.7 | ||
Internal Services
| Forecast Spending 2011-12 | Planned Spending | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
| * Excludes $22.4 M for operations of Shared Services Canada The decrease from forecast to planned spending is associated with the sunsetting of some programs and the transfer to Shared Services Canada for consolidation of IT infrastructure. The decrease in planned spending from 2012-13 through 2014-15 is primarily associated with the sunsetting of some programs. |
|||
| 409.1* | 283.4 | 275.6 | 275.0 |
| Total Planned Spending | 283.4 | 275.6 | 275.0 |
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS)
The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) outlines the Government of Canada's commitment to improving the transparency of environmental decision-making by articulating its key strategic environmental goals and targets. Health Canada ensures that consideration of these outcomes is an integral part of its decision-making processes. In particular, through the federal Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process, any new policy, plan, or program initiative includes an analysis of its impact on attaining the FSDS goals and targets. The results of SEAs are made public when an initiative is announced, demonstrating the Department's commitment to achieving the FSDS goals and targets.
Health Canada contributes to the FSDS under three themes:
- Theme I:
- Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality
- Theme II:
- Maintaining Water Quality and Availability
- Theme IV:
- Shrinking the Environment Footprint - Beginning with Government
These contributions are components of the following Program Activities, which are explained in Section II:
- Program Activity 2.3 - Environmental Risks to Health
- Program Activity 2.6 - Radiation Protection
- Program Activity 3.1 - First Nations and Inuit Primary Health Care
- Internal Services
Additional details on Health Canada's activities to support sustainable development are set out in Section II of this report and Health Canada's website. Complete details on the FSDS are available at Environment Canada's website
Expenditure Profile
For the 2012-13 fiscal year, Health Canada plans to spend $3,364.4 million to meet the expected results of its program activities and contribute to its strategic outcomes.
The figure below illustrates Health Canada's spending trend from 2008-09 to 2014-15.
Spending Trend
For the 2008-09 to 2011-12 periods, the total spending includes all Parliamentary appropriation sources: Main Estimates, Supplementary Estimates, and funding from various Treasury Board Votes. For the 2012-13 to 2014-15 periods, the total spending corresponds to planned spending. Supplementary funding and carry forward adjustments are not reflected.
The decreases in planned spending are associated primarily with the sunsetting of certain programs, which are under further review and consideration by the government.
Estimates by Vote
For information on our organizational appropriations, please see the 2012-13 Main Estimates publication.
