Canada is facing a critical challenge in the realm of scientific research funding, particularly in the areas of health and social data. This issue has persisted for many years, with funding often directed toward large-scale scientific endeavors, such as telescopes and particle accelerators. While these projects are undoubtedly significant, they overshadow a vital component of research that has been largely overlooked: health and social data.
The phrase “data is the new oil” has gained traction, especially with the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, highlighting the necessity of data as a fundamental infrastructure. Such infrastructure is crucial for driving economic growth, much like investments in ports and energy generation.
Organizations like Statistics Canada and the Canadian Institute for Health Information play key roles in gathering and maintaining health and social data within the country. Although significant funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council supports academic research utilizing this data, provincial governments hold substantial amounts of relevant data that often remain inaccessible. This lack of data sharing between provinces presents a more significant barrier to collaboration than the well-known issues of transporting beer across provincial lines.
In comparison to funding for cosmology and particle physics—which includes data analytics—the financial support for research in epidemiology, health services, and social sciences in Canada is minimal, resembling more of a cottage industry than world-class research. It is evident that Canada is not leveraging its full potential in this domain.
Recognizing health and social data as essential infrastructure is paramount, and the analytics surrounding this data need adequate support at a larger scale. Fortunately, there is a glimmer of hope for progress. A blue-ribbon panel convened by the federal government in 2022 reviewed Canada”s research infrastructure, underscoring the necessity for better coordination and proactive strategic planning informed by comprehensive horizon scanning.
The panel”s core recommendation involved the establishment of a “capstone” organization that would complement existing granting councils. Encouragingly, key recommendations from this review received general endorsement in the 2024 federal budget and were mentioned in the 2025 Liberal campaign platform, albeit in a brief statement. The specifics of these proposals are eagerly awaited.
To realize the potential of world-class health and social science data and the associated analytical infrastructure in Canada, a fundamental reform of research funding is essential. Consider several potential applications where enhanced data and analysis could significantly benefit Canadians, though these are currently unfeasible:
- Long COVID: By linking individual data on infections and treatments with long-term follow-ups and utilizing standardized definitions across databases, we could identify more effective health interventions.
- Surgical Procedures: Analyzing Canada”s extensive real-world data could enhance surgical outcomes and best practices, addressing regional disparities in procedures such as coronary bypasses and joint replacements.
- Finance and Economics for Health-Related Industries: A detailed understanding of factors influencing a firm”s growth, decline, and mergers could drive productivity in health-related sectors.
- Population Aging: Accurate projections regarding healthcare utilization and public pension costs for Canada”s aging population could inform policymakers, enabling systemic policy options rather than piecemeal adjustments.
Addressing the challenges posed by these use cases would enhance the effectiveness of the healthcare sector and economic growth strategies. To achieve this, the federal government must leverage its constitutional authority to resolve the inter-provincial data sharing impasse by making significant fiscal transfers to provinces contingent upon their data-sharing improvements.
Moreover, substantial revisions are necessary for the mandates and structures of Canada”s research funding agencies to facilitate high-quality pan-Canadian data collection and analysis. One potential avenue is to expand the proposed capstone organization by incorporating Statistics Canada, CIHI, and a select group of leading university-based health and social science researchers to identify and fund high-quality data and analytical projects.
For too long, Canada has relied on other nations” health research while overlooking its own vast reservoir of data. It is time for the federal government to assert its constitutional authority and make meaningful changes to enhance research in health and social sciences.
