I'll just add that CIHI, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, conducted a feasibility study for a national unique identifier for nine professions. They identified a start-up cost and a continuing operation cost. I think it was stalled because of the costs. I don't know if CIHI wishes to speak to that more, but certainly there has been a feasibility study done.
On April 25th, 2012. See this statement in context.