Commonground
Senior Moderator
News release
September 23, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Institutes of Health Research
As we begin respiratory infectious diseases season, the Government of Canada is investing in critical research infrastructure to ensure that public health and immunization programs are as effective as they can be in protecting the health of Canadians and that Canada is ready for future pandemics and public health emergencies.
Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced an investment of nearly $20 million through the CIHR Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies and partners to support seven research platforms that unite researchers from all across the country to maintain Canada’s pandemic readiness, improve surveillance systems, and support evidence-based decision-making.
These platforms will strengthen Canada’s capacity to detect, monitor, and respond to emerging infectious diseases, while addressing the social, behavioural, and health system challenges that arise during pandemics and other health emergencies. Broadly, the research teams will:
Quotes
Quick facts
September 23, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Institutes of Health Research
As we begin respiratory infectious diseases season, the Government of Canada is investing in critical research infrastructure to ensure that public health and immunization programs are as effective as they can be in protecting the health of Canadians and that Canada is ready for future pandemics and public health emergencies.
Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced an investment of nearly $20 million through the CIHR Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies and partners to support seven research platforms that unite researchers from all across the country to maintain Canada’s pandemic readiness, improve surveillance systems, and support evidence-based decision-making.
These platforms will strengthen Canada’s capacity to detect, monitor, and respond to emerging infectious diseases, while addressing the social, behavioural, and health system challenges that arise during pandemics and other health emergencies. Broadly, the research teams will:
- Sustain and expand national research infrastructure and networks to improve disease surveillance, diagnostics, and data sharing, ensuring faster, more coordinated responses to emerging threats like avian influenza.
- Support inclusive, community-based research that reflects the needs of diverse populations, including high-risk cancer populations, children, racialized and Indigenous communities, and people in rural and remote areas.
- Generate timely, evidence-based insights to inform public health decisions, improve vaccination strategies, and enhance public trust and adherence to prevention measures during health emergencies.
Quotes
“The COVID-19 pandemic taught us the importance of being ready for the unexpected. These research investments will strengthen innovative science and collaboration across the country—helping Canada be better equipped to respond quickly and effectively to future public health emergencies.”
—The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health
—The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health
“These initiatives reflect the best of Canadian research, with a focus on real-world impact. Our scientists continue to provide the important evidence and maintain the research infrastructure that all Canadians rely on to prevent, prepare for, and respond to future health emergencies.”
— Dr. Paul Hébert, President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
— Dr. Paul Hébert, President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Quick facts
- A research platform is a group or network of researchers undertaking interdisciplinary, collaborative research and building expertise and resources (e.g., biobanks, databanks, tools, methodologies) and ensuring the research knowledge is shared widely with those who need it.
- The funded research platforms unite experts in public health, epidemiology, diagnostics, behavioural science, and Indigenous health from all across Canada. Several projects involve partnerships with international organizations, including the World Health Organization.
- These investments are funded through CIHR’s Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies in partnership with the CIHR Institute of Cancer Research, the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative, and Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research.
- Housed at CIHR and created in 2022 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Research Centre’s goals are to provide stable and dedicated investments in research, planning, and coordination, with a special focus on training and capacity-building. To date, the Research Centre has funded research on a number of pandemic and health emergency topics including COVID-19, post COVID-19 condition, Ebola, mpox, congenital and infectious syphilis, and climate change and weather events.