Useful Links & Resources
Connecting Canada’s health care sector to leading health and privacy resources & organizations
The following is a collection of select website links and other resources that may be of interest to health industry clients. Please note that these resources are for informational purposes only. They are not endorsed by Miller Thomson for the quality, accuracy or currency of their content.
Sections:
International
Federal
Alberta
British Columbia
Ontario
Québec
Saskatchewan
International
The World Health Organization
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
Federal
Government/ Policy and Agencies:
Health Canada
The department of the Government of Canada responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health, while respecting individual choices and circumstances.
Public Health Agency of Canada
Agency of the Federal Government responsible for public health, emergency preparedness and response and infectious and chronic disease control and prevention.
Federal government press releases
Provides access to news releases and updates on programs, services and upcoming events published on Government of Canada Web sites.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Offers access to a number of policy papers dealing with privacy in health research. Topics include the secondary use of personal information and the interpretation of PIPEDA.
Canadian Mental Health Association
A nation-wide, voluntary organization promoting the mental health of all and supporting the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. The CMHA accomplishes this mission through advocacy, education, research and service.
Health Council of Canada
Reports on the progress of health care renewal, on the health status of Canadians, and on the health outcomes of our system. Their goal is to provide a system-wide perspective on health care reform for the Canadian public, with particular attention to accountability and transparency.
Fraser Institute
An independent research institute. It conducts peer-reviewed research into critical economic and public policy issues including taxation, government spending, health care, school performance, and trade.
Professional Associations:
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Established by Parliament to oversee the medical education of specialists in Canada, including specialist certification and lifelong learning programs.
Canadian Medical Association
The largest association of doctors in Canada. CMA also publishes the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).
Canadian Nurses Association
A federation of 11 provincial and territorial nursing associations and colleges.
Patient Safety:
Health Canada – MedEffect Canada
A site for consumers, patients, and health professionals to report an adverse reaction or side effect, obtain safety information on drugs and health products, and learn and understand the importance of reporting side effects.
Canadian Patient Safety Institute
Raises awareness and facilitates implementation of ideas and best practices to achieve a transformation in patient safety.
Privacy:
Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Provides information on issues relating to privacy and health, including Canada’s health infostructure, domestic and international court decisions, privacy in health research, and provincial initiatives in the health and privacy arena.
Health Information:
Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI)
An independent not-for-profit organization that provides information on Canada’s health system and the health of Canadians.
COACH - Canada’s Health Informatics Association
Dedicated to promoting a clear understanding of health informatics, including health privacy issues.
Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA)
CHIMA represents certified Health Information Management (HIM) professionals across Canada, and offers educational programs and materials for those wishing to gain expertise in health and privacy issues.
Canada Health Infoway (CHI)
CHI is an independent not-for-profit organization that provides guidance with respect to electronic health record and communications technologies in the Canadian healthcare system. This guidance includes funding through strategic investments; working with the provinces and territories and others to facilitate policy development; creating awareness; and promoting a wide range of health initiatives. Its website provides access to its publications and reports, and provides information on its investment projects.
Insurance/ Liability Coverage:
Canadian Medical Protective Association
Funded and operated on a not-for-profit basis for physicians, by physicians. Its membership comprises most practicing physicians in Canada.
Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC)
The largest healthcare liability insurer in Canada, with subscribers representing over 600 healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and community health centres.
Legislation:
Federal legislation
Department of Justice laws website
Select Statutes:
Canada Health Act
» Regulations affecting Canada Health Act or Health Canada
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Food and Drugs Act
» Food and Drug Regulations
» Medical Devices Regulations
» Natural Health Products Regulations
Not-for-profit Corporations Act
Privacy Legislation:
Federal Privacy Act
Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act
Access to Information Act
Alberta
Government/ Policy and Agencies:
Alberta Health and Wellness
Alberta Health Services
Health Law Institute - University of Alberta Faculty of Law
Regulatory Bodies:
Alberta Regulated Health Professions
Links to the regulatory colleges in Alberta from Alberta Health and Wellness.
Professional Associations:
Select Legislation:
Provincial Legislation and Regulations
Health Disciplines Act
Health Information Act
Hospitals Act
Mental Health Act
Nursing Homes Act
Pharmacy and Drug Act
Public Health Act
Regional Health Authorities Act
British Columbia
Government/ Policy and Agencies:
Regulatory Bodies:
British Columbia Regulated Health Professions
Links to the regulated health professions in B.C. from the Ministry of Health.
Professional Associations:
Select Legislation:
Provincial Legislation and Regulations
Continuing Care Act
E-Health (Personal Health Information Access and Protection of Privacy) Act
Health Authorities Act
Health Professions Act
Hospital Act
Mental Health Act
Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act
Public Health Act
Ontario
Government/ Policy and Agencies:
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Responsible for administering the health care system and providing services to the province of Ontario.
Link to list of hospitals, community health centres, kiosks, etc., located around Ontario
Link to psychiatric forms and applications
Link to designated psychiatric facilities and hospitals in Ontario
Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres (OACCAC)
Delivers products and services that support and assist members in helping people find their way through Ontario's health-care system. They also assist members in developing innovative, cost-effective ways to provide people with the care they need when they need it.
Community Care Access Centre (CCAC)
Connects individuals with the care they need, by providing in-home care and coordinating community care, including specialized support services. They can provide information about long-term care options.
Advocacy Centre for the Elderly
A community based legal clinic which provides direct legal services to low-income seniors, provides public legal education, and engages in law reform activities. ACE services and activities are in relation to areas of law of special importance to the seniors' population.
Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs
The federation brings together community mental health and addiction services in the province of Ontario to help members provide effective, high-quality services through information sharing, education, advocacy and unified effort.
Ontario Mental Health Foundation
Promotes the prevention of mental illness in Ontario, as well as improved diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of mental health conditions while supporting mental health research and the professional development of researchers in the area of mental health.
Psychiatric Patient Advocacy Office
Provides advocacy services to individual patients, addresses facility-based or provincial systemic issues impacting on patients' rights and provides rights advice services, public and health care professional education through speaking engagements, publishing reports and media releases.
Joint Centre for Bioethics
The JCB is a partnership between the University of Toronto and affiliated healthcare organizations. It studies important ethical, health-related topics through research and clinical activities. It is a network of multidisciplinary professionals seeking to improve health care standards at both national and international levels.
Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC)
Appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, HPRAC advises the Minister on whether unregulated health professions should be regulated; whether regulated professions should no longer be regulated; amendments to the Regulated Health Professions Act, a health profession Act or a regulation under those Acts; quality assurance and patient relations programs of Ontario's health regulatory Colleges; and other matters referred to it by the Minister.
Health Force Ontario
Its mandate is to identify and address Ontario’s health human resource needs; engage partners in education and health care to develop skilled, knowledgeable providers and create the health care delivery teams that will make the most of their abilities; introduce new and expanded provider roles to increase the number of providers working in health care and build on the skills of those already in the system; and to make Ontario the employer-of-choice for all health care providers.
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Helps adults with developmental disabilities live, work and participate in a range of community activities; enforces support orders issued by the courts; promotes accessibility and works to break down barriers that prevent fully participating in the social and economic life of Ontario; and helps Ontarians recover from hardship.
Ontario government press releases
Provides access to news releases and updates published by the Ontario Government.
Health Law and Policy Group – University of Toronto Faculty of Law
Regulatory Bodies:
Ontario Regulated Health Professions
Links to all regulated health profession colleges in Ontario from the Federation of Health Regulatory Colleges of Ontario (FHRCO) website.
Professional Associations:
Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario
A not-for-profit association representing Family Health Teams (FHTs) in Ontario. AFHTO works to support the implementation and growth of FHTs by promoting best practices, sharing lessons learned, and advocating on behalf of all FHTs.
Ontario Hospital Association
Representing approximately 154 public hospitals, the OHA assumes a leadership role focused on patients, promoting an efficient and effective health system.
Ontario Long Term Care Association
The largest long term care provider association in Ontario and the only association that represents the full mix of long term care operators - private, not-for-profit, charitable and municipal.
Ontario Medical Association
Represents the political, clinical and economic interests of the province's medical profession.
Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND)
Provides leadership, advocacy and support for naturopathic doctors in Ontario.
Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy - Naturopathy
Responsible for public protection in Ontario with respect to the practice of Naturopathic Medicine. In order to practice Naturopathic Medicine in Ontario Naturopathic Doctors must be registered with the BDDT-N.
Ontario Nurses’ Association
The trade union that represents registered nurses and allied health professionals working throughout Ontario.
Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario
Professional association representing registered nurses in Ontario.
Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario
Provides professional support for Nurse Practitioners; advice and expertise to membership and to professional nursing organizations on practice issues; continuing education programs which meet the specific needs of Nurse Practitioners; and lobbies government and other health disciplines on behalf of Nurse Practitioners.
Privacy:
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
Provides access to the Commission’s annual reports and publications as well as commentary on health privacy legislation.
Office of the Chief Information and Privacy Officer
Supports Ontario government ministries and other provincial and local public sector organizations that have responsibilities under FIPPA and MFIPPA.
Health Information:
eHealth Ontario
Provides a single, harmonized and coherent eHealth Strategy for Ontario that supports the government’s health agenda. Aligns all publicly-funded eHealth initiatives through a single point of accountability. It encompasses all provincially funded health care system information initiatives that support clinicians and patient care delivery, and are actually or potentially province-wide in scope.
Ontario Chapter of Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
Ontario HIMSS is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing leadership in the area of health care information management. Its members meet regularly to discuss heath information and privacy.
Boards and Tribunals:
Consent and Capacity Board (CCB)
Independent body created under the Health Care Consent Act. It conducts hearings under the Mental Health Act, the Health Care Consent Act, the Personal Health Information Protection Act, the Substitute Decisions Act, and the Mandatory Blood Testing Act.
Consent and Capacity Board decisions (CanLii)
Health Services Appeal and Review Board
Conducts appeals and reviews under 14 health acts including the Health Insurance Act, Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act, Long Term Care Homes Act and Home Care and Community Services Act, 1994.
The proceedings under each of the statutes range from oral appeals to written reviews.
Health Services Appeal and Review Board decisions (CanLii)
Health Professions Appeal and Review Board
An independent adjudicative agency. On request, it: reviews decisions made by the Complaints Committees of the self-regulating health profession Colleges in Ontario; conducts reviews and hearings of orders of the Registration Committees of the Colleges; and holds hearings concerning physicians’ hospital privileges under the Public Hospitals Act.
Health Professions Appeal and Review Board decisions (CanLii)
Select Legislation:
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Ontario legislation
Official copies of Ontario’s statutes and regulations.
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (Ontario) – Legislation
Legislation developments, bills and proposals specific to health and health care, including brief summaries of how they may affect health practice and treatment in Ontario.
Health Legislation:
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Ambulance Act
Broader Public Service Accountability Act
» Broader Public Service Procurement Directive
Business Corporations Act
Child and Family Services Act
Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act
Coroners Act
Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act
Excellent Care for All Act
Health Care Consent Act
Health Insurance Act
Health Protection and Promotion Act
Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act
Independent Health Facilities Act
Local Health System Integration Act, 2006
Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007
General
Mandatory Blood Testing Act
Mandatory Gun Shot Wound Reporting Act
Mental Health Act
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Ontario Disability Support Program Act
Ontario Human Rights Code
Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Private Hospitals Act
Patient Restraints Minimization Act
Public Hospitals Act
Hospital Management
Quality of Care Information Protection Act
Regulated Health Professionals Act
Retirement Homes Act
Substitute Decisions Act
Privacy Legislation:
Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004
Québec
Government/ Policy and Agencies:
Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services
Research Group on Health and Law – McGill University Faculty of Law
Regulatory Bodies:
Collège des médecins du Québec
Professional Associations:
Select Legislation:
Provincial Legislation and Regulations
Civil Code of Québec
Hospital Insurance Act
Public Health Act
An Act respecting health services and social services
An Act respecting the protection of persons whose mental state presents a danger to themselves or to others
Saskatchewan
Government/ Policy and Agencies:
Saskatchewan Ministry of Health
Regulatory Bodies:
Saskatchewan Health Professional Colleges and Associations
Links to the colleges and association of health professionals in Saskatchewan from Saskatchewan Health.
Professional Associations:
Saskatchewan Medical Association
Select Legislation:
Provincial Legislation and Regulations
Health Information Protection Act
Mental Health Services Act
Personal Care Homes Act
Pharmacy Act, 1996
Public Health Act, 1994
Regional Health Services Act