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The Council
A strong life sciences sector is critical to the resilience of our health care system, in addition to being a powerful driver of economic growth. Other nations with similar health systems are making generational investments in the life sciences — Canada must not be left behind. To that end, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and its members on the Life Sciences Strategy Council are committed to making recommendations on a life sciences policy that, if implemented, will boost domestic economic development, foster better medical outcomes for Canadian patients, and make us more secure in the face of health threats.
Launched in 2022, the Council is made up of public and private sector leaders aligned in the pursuit of a globally competitive, integrated life sciences sector that spans the entire spectrum of activities from research to manufacturing to the commercialization of innovations.
Building a resilient health and life sciences system can be achieved through public-private partnerships, and a committed strategy that is inspired by a bold vision and shared purpose among all levels of government, industry and universities. The ingredients to implement such a strategy are known — Canada must strengthen pandemic preparedness and health system resilience, promote improved health outcomes for Canadian patients, and foster a world-class life sciences ecosystem as a driver of jobs and growth.
Policy Priorities
The long-term success of Canada’s life sciences sector, which operates in a relatively small market, depends on the free flow of goods and integration into global supply chains. Tariffs or other restrictions on medical products are not only economically damaging but they jeopardize patient health and hinder collective health security.
Government must:
- Promote the free, rules-based trade of medical goods and the integration of Canada’s life sciences industry into global supply chains.
In an increasingly uncertain economic and geopolitical environment, health security must be recognized as a key pillar of national and economic security, underpinned by a strong domestic life sciences industry.
Since inception, the Council has advocated for strong, organized and dedicated governance to deliver on the Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy, coordinate investments and policies, and engage stakeholders.
Government must:
- Recognize that health security is a key pillar of national and economic security, which is underpinned by a strong and resilient domestic life sciences industry.
- Pursue public-private partnerships that contribute to domestic capacity across research, commercialization, manufacturing and health emergency preparedness.
- Ensure that Health Emergency Readiness Canada (HERC) can effectively collaborate with industry and deliver on ambitious industry development and health security objectives.
Focusing on regulatory agility will not only improve patient access to life-saving medicines and improve the quality of care but will also make Canada one of the most attractive jurisdictions for medical innovation and clinical trials.
Government must:
- Collaborate with the provinces and territories to streamline the regulatory approval and public reimbursement process.
- Strengthen Canada as a choice destination for investment by removing impediments to innovations in medical technologies and clinical trials.
- Leverage public-private collaboration and work with provinces and territories to implement a pan-Canadian health data system that improves storage, sharing and use of health data to improve patient care and support the development of innovative medical technologies.
Securing the necessary talent and skills is required if we want the life sciences sector to grow.
Government must:
- Work with provinces and territories to reduce barriers to hiring highly skilled foreign talent.
- Enhance the system for foreign credential recognition.
- Focus on new skilling (e.g. capabilities in both research and informatics skills, such as AI and machine learning), re-skilling and upskilling life sciences talent.
Co-Chairs
Steven Hogue
Director, International Policy and Communications, Pfizer Canada
Wendy Hurlburt
President and CEO, Life Sciences BC
For more information on the Life Sciences Strategy, please contact Pascal Chan, Vice President, Strategic Policy & Supply Chains.
Updates
Op-ed: Canada must respond to U.S. policy by increasing our support for pharmaceutical innovation, The Hill Times. Read more.
Blog: Policy Matters: How to Improve Canadians’ Access to Essential Medicines. Read more.
Event: Connected Care, Coordinated Policy: Advancing Canada’s Health Data Future. Read more.
Letter: Letter to the Chair of the Council of the Federation Regarding Faster Access to Life-Saving Treatments. Read more.
Electronic submission: Submission to the US Department of Commerce’s request for public comments on Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients. Read more.
Event: Canadian Chamber Co-Hosts B7 Side-Event with OECD BIAC, “Health Security for Economic Security” Read more.
Op-ed: It’s time to bring Canada’s medical system into the 21st century, The Hill Times. Read more.
Op-ed: Instead of pharmacare, Canadians need faster drug-approval timelines, The Hill Times. Read more.
Op-ed: An expensive plan that will make Canadian patients wait longer for fewer drugs, The Financial Post. Read more.
Committee appearance: Canadian Chamber Addresses Bill C-64, the Pharmacare Act, Before the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. Read more.
Blog: Life Sciences Summit: Accelerating Canada’s Health Data Ecosystem. Read more.
Blog: #PatientsAreWaiting For a Canadian Health Data Ecosystem. Read more.
Submission: To the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology on Bill C-27. Read more.
Video: What the Health and Life Sciences Ecosystem Needs Today. Watch video.
OP-ED: Preparing our medical system for the next pandemic, The Hill Times. Read more.
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