Health Canada
Health Canada is the federal department responsible for protecting and improving the health of Canadians. It develops health policies, regulates pharmaceuticals and medical devices, enforces food safety standards, and funds public health programs. The department works with provinces and territories to support the healthcare system while ensuring safety standards for drugs, consumer products, and nutrition guidelines.
Through the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Health Canada monitors public health risks, manages disease outbreaks, and promotes health initiatives. It also funds medical research via the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and oversees healthcare services for Indigenous communities.
In FY 2024,
$13.7B
was spent by Health Canada
In FY 2024,
2.7%
of federal spending was by Health Canada
Health Canada spent $13.7 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 2.7% of the $513.9 billion in overall federal spending. The department ranked tenth among federal departments in total spending.
Health Canada accounted for 2.7% of all federal spending in FY 2024. 10 government departments accounted for 73.2% of federal spending in FY 2024
26.48%
18.38%
12.25%
6.71%
3.74%
3.27%
2.82%
2.71%
2.67%
2%
Federal spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging challenges. Since FY 1995, overall federal spending has risen 74.9%, while Health Canada spending has decreased 19.9% when adjusted for inflation.
The department's spending grew at a rate significantly lower than overall spending, reflecting shifts in federal priorities. In FY 2024, Health Canada accounted for 2.7% of all federal spending, 3.14 percentage points lower than in 1995.
Major legislation, internal or global economic conditions, and acute events like the COVID-19 pandemic can significantly influence government spending year to year. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, federal support programs led to a temporary surge in spending. Health Canada expenditures increased from $5 billion in FY 2019 to $14.2 billion in FY 2021 before stabilizing in recent years.
How did Health Canada spend its budget in FY24?
Federal departments often contain other entities including offices, crown corporations and agencies. The Health Canada entities with the biggest expenditures in FY 2024 were
Who leads Health Canada?
Health Canada is led by the Minister of Health, who is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and formally sworn into office at Rideau Hall. Upon appointment, the Minister takes the Oath of Office and the Oath of Allegiance, becoming a member of the King's Privy Council for Canada.
These Ministers are some of the cabinet members who serve at the Prime Minister's discretion. Their tenure typically ends when they resign, are replaced, or when a new Prime Minister takes office and appoints a new cabinet. Outgoing ministers remain in their roles until their successors are sworn in.
