Informatics Now Winter26 Live Learning Series Session 7 of 8

Interoperability Mandate Accelerates

Canada's health care system remains fragmented, with patient data siloed across provinces and territories, leading to inefficiencies like repeated tests and care coordination failures. On February 4, 2026, the federal government reintroduced Bill S-5, the Connected Care for Canadians Act, which demands that health information technology vendors ensure their systems allow secure access, use, and exchange of electronic health information according to prescribed standards. The bill prohibits data blocking—practices that hinder information flow—subject to privacy protections, and applies where provinces lack similar rules.

This revives earlier efforts, building on the Pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap. Vendors face compliance obligations once regulations detail standards, potentially reshaping procurement and system design. Non-compliance could limit market access or trigger enforcement in adopting jurisdictions.

Amid this shift, the CPHIMS-CA certification stands out as the recognized credential for health informatics professionals in Canada. Jointly issued by Digital Health Canada and HIMSS since 2005, it combines the international CPHIMS exam with a Canadian supplemental module covering local healthcare environment, regulations, and policies. Holders demonstrate validated skills in areas like systems implementation, data governance, and transformation—precisely what the interoperability push requires.

Less visible are the trade-offs: faster data flow promises better patient outcomes and system savings, but raises concerns over cybersecurity vulnerabilities and jurisdictional friction. Provincial autonomy in health delivery means uneven adoption, while vendors weigh costs of compliance against competitive advantages from proprietary systems. Professionals certified in these competencies become essential for navigating the changes without compromising safety or privacy.