Evidence of meeting #29 for Health in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was infoway.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
Which data did you use to inform your decision to withdraw from the program and make the transition at the end of the program?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
We carried out a study in 2023, because we had started to see issues with the program's implementation.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
You're talking about a study carried out in 2023. However, the decision was made in November or December 2025. So a study carried out two years earlier helped you to make a decision two years later.
Is that right?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
We started a study. Then, as its representative said, Canada Health Infoway launched its request for expression of interest process to see whether other viable opportunities came up.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
I'm just trying to understand your reasons for making this decision in November 2025.
Director General, Health Care Strategies Directorate, Department of Health
It's the Canada Health Infoway process.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
Has the department carried out an internal evaluation? That's the question.
Director General, Health Care Strategies Directorate, Department of Health
In 2023, we provided the final funding for three years. We were quite clear. We said that this was the last time that we would provide funding. We wanted a plan with regard to sustainability.
We then asked Canada Health Infoway to carry out an evaluation in order to find alternative solutions.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
Okay. What was your 2025 decision based on? Was it based on the 2023 evaluation that you ordered?
Director General, Health Care Strategies Directorate, Department of Health
It's based on the Canada Health Infoway process, which looked at a number of options.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
So it took them two years to realize that it was a failure.
Is that right?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
The people at Canada Health Infoway held a public consultation to see whether other viable options came up. As you heard, a number of proposals were put forward. Ultimately, the management team carried out an evaluation.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
The management team recommended that you transition to something else and stop the program.
Is that right?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
Using information from the Canada Health Infoway process, we carried out our own analysis.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
I just want to understand. It took you two years to go through the evaluation process before making a decision and ultimately withdrawing the program.
Is that right?
Director General, Health Care Strategies Directorate, Department of Health
It was about two years.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
Is two years the usual length of time for a process to determine whether a program is working?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
It's a fairly complicated program. So that's how long it usually takes.
The health care system is quite complicated. The discussions with the provinces and territories are complicated as well.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
Can you commit to providing a written copy of the briefing notes sent to the department or the minister, the recommendation made, the amounts allocated or spent after November 2025 and the transition costs for the provinces, including Quebec?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
Yes.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Could that be sent to us, please? The time is up.
Please, all of those requests for sending things should come through the chair. The chair will receive it; the clerk will receive it, and we will distribute it. Thank you very much.
I now go to the second round for 15 minutes.
I understand that Mr. Bailey and Ms. Konanz are sharing five minutes.
Go for it.
Conservative
Burton Bailey Conservative Red Deer, AB
Thank you, Chair.
My first question is for Ms. Voisin.
You're aware that Saskatchewan is still on paper, that they do not have EMR systems. Is that correct?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Department of Health
No, I don't think that's correct.