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Law to Make Health Records Shareable and Stop Tech Companies From Blocking Data

Shareable Health Records Law

Introduced Feb 3, 2026·Last discussed Mar 26, 2026
Summary

This proposed law, called the "Connected Care for Canadians Act," aims to make it easier for your health information to be shared between different computer systems. It would stop tech companies that sell or license health record software from blocking access to your data. The goal is to create a connected healthcare system where doctors and patients can easily and securely access and share electronic health information. This proposed law would affect everyone who uses healthcare services in Canada. It would also affect health information technology vendors. If passed, it would mean that your doctor could more easily share your records with specialists or other healthcare providers. You could also have easier access to your own health information. This matters because it could improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare. It could reduce errors, avoid duplicate tests, and help doctors make better decisions. It also gives you more control over your own health information.

Where This Lands on Key Issues

Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about

HealthcareIdentity & Human RightsPolitical & Electoral Reform
This bill
HealthcareExpand public coverage (dental, pharma)

The bill aims to improve healthcare delivery by making health records more accessible, which aligns with the goal of improving the public healthcare system.

Identity & Human RightsExpand protections for marginalized groups

By ensuring individuals have better access to their health data, the bill promotes autonomy and control over personal information, which can be seen as supporting individual rights.

Political & Electoral ReformOpen to considering reforms

Promoting data sharing and interoperability in healthcare could be seen as a move towards greater transparency and accountability in the healthcare system, which aligns with broader goals of political reform.

Bill Quality
Solid

This proposed law aims to make health information technology work together better and stop vendors from blocking data. It's good because it tries to give people easier access to their health information, but it only applies in provinces/territories if the government says so.

Things to Watch For

  • The law depends on future rules to define key things like data blocking and interoperability.
  • It's not clear how the government will decide which provinces/territories need this law.
  • The law doesn't say what happens if a vendor in one province blocks data for someone in another province.
  • We don't know when the law will actually start being used, as it depends on a future government decision.
  • It is unclear how patients can trigger a compliance verification.
Progress

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