Canada has a predominantly publicly financed health insurance system that covers medically necessary hospital (inpatient and outpatient) and physician services for all residents. This system, popularly known as “Medicare”, consists of 13 interlocking health plans administered by the 10 provinces and three territories.

In December 1993, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) was established as an independent, nongovernmental, not-for-profit corporation and the Deputy Ministers of Health confirmed the CIHI board as its principal advisor on health-information-related matters. The CIHI was established to serve as the national mechanism to coordinate the development and maintenance of a comprehensive and integrated health information system for Canada. In addition, the CIHI provides and coordinates the provision of accurate and timely information required for the establishment of sound health policy; the effective management of the Canadian health system; and to generate public awareness about factors affecting good health.

This article describes some of the major Canadian health-related data holdings, which may be accessible to researchers or others.