Question Period Note: Women's Health

Women, trans and non-binary people experience poorer health from missed diagnoses, minimized symptoms, greater burdens of specific diseases, and poorly targeted treatment compared to men.

The Government of Canada has prioritized progress in the area of women’s health to help ensure that women, trans and non-binary people, in Canada are receiving the supports they need.
Health Canada supports a wide range of activities that relate to women’s health, including sexual and reproductive health, cancer prevention and treatment, heart and stroke, and mental health.
Health portfolio partners also support research, gender-disaggregated inequalities data collection, and sexual and reproductive health data collection, among others areas.
Sex, gender and diversity considerations are a key criterion embedded, using an intersectional approach, in the development and implementation of all programs, policies and activities across the Department.
IF PRESSED ON CERVICAL CANCER …
The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC), funded by the Government of Canada, and its partners developed an Action Plan to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Canada, which engages partners across the country to eliminate cervical cancer in Canada by 2040; priorities include the improvement of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates, implementation of HPV primary screening, and enhanced efforts for follow up of abnormal results.
CPAC also hosts the Pan-Canadian Cervical Cancer Screening Network; undertakes system performance reporting for cervical cancer; and supports development and sharing of best practices for screening and treatment.
IF PRESSED ON BREAST CANCER …
The Canadian Breast Cancer Screening Network (CBCSN) is another example of a pan-Canadian network supported and convened by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC); it is comprised of a community of breast screening program representatives, radiologists, and professional associations.
Across Canada, abnormal call rates (ACR) for breast cancer screening - the percentage of mammograms identified as abnormal and requiring follow-up - exceed national targets. CPAC has worked with the radiology and breast screening communities to develop a Pan-Canadian Framework for Action to Address Abnormal Call Rates in Breast Cancer Screening. Endorsed by the Canadian Society of Breast Imaging, the framework outlines evidence-informed approaches to optimize ACRs.
IF PRESSED ON OVARIAN CANCER …
Budget 2019 provided Ovarian Cancer Canada (OCC) with $10 million over five years from Health Canada for the initiative entitled “Advancing New Treatments to Improve the Survival of Women with Ovarian Cancer”.
This initiative will contribute to an increased knowledge of effective treatment options for ovarian cancer and improvements in quality and responsiveness of the health care system, and care received by women at risk or affected by ovarian cancer.
IF PRESSED ON ONLINE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR WOMEN…
Additional online counselling and peer support services are available to young women directly through Kids Help Phone and other organizations (Youthspace; Jack.org; BounceBack offered through CMHA), as well as through provincial and territorial services such as Tel-Jeunes in Quebec, and Alberta’s COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub.
IF PRESSED ON THE SIXTH REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN…
The Government welcomes the sixth Report of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
The Report addresses the complex, intersecting factors that impact the mental health of young women, which span many interrelated sectors and social determinants of health.
The Government recognizes the significant mental health challenges faced by young women and is committed to supporting their wellbeing.
This includes significant health investments to provinces and territories, including nearly $200 billion confirmed in Budget 2023 to improve health care services for all Canadians, including a focus on reporting results through disaggregated data to provide more information and evidence about the health care experience for women.
IF PRESSED ON PROGRESS MADE ON PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH…
On March 9, 2022, a ministerial roundtable was held with key stakeholder groups, including experts, practitioners, and people with lived and living experience, to examine access to perinatal mental health care.
In support of the roundtable advice, the Government is funding Women’s College Hospital to develop a National Clinical Practice Guideline for Perinatal Mental Illness, to support providers in delivering quality care.
This Clinical Practice Guideline will be evidence-based and informed by community experts, providers, and people with lived and living experience.
IF PRESSED ON WOMEN AND ADDICTIONS…
Very few have been left untouched by substance use-related harms across Canada. Women are no exception to this.
Women who use drugs, especially mothers and Black, Indigenous and other women of colour, have distinct needs and can experience unique challenges in accessing care options.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of investing in actions to promote wellness, reduce risks and harms, and improve access to quality mental health and support services for all women and girls, when and where they need them.
IF PRESSED ON WOMEN’S TOBACCO OR VAPING PRODUCT USE…
According to recent survey findings, women in Canada are less likely than men to smoke cigarettes or vape.
It is estimated that 1.7 million, or 11 percent, of Canadian women aged 15 and over currently smoke, while 4 percent vape.
The Government continues to monitor data on the gender differences related to tobacco or vaping product use.
IF PRESSED ON WOMEN AND CANNABIS DEPENDENCY…
Ongoing research is fundamental to understand the health and safety effects of cannabis use.
Women have historically had a lower prevalence of cannabis use compared to men, though emerging evidence indicates that the gender gap is narrowing as cannabis use among women increases across age groups.
Recent survey findings indicate that among the Canadian general population, past year cannabis use is more prevalent among males than females.
The Government continues to monitor research on the gender differences in both the acute and long-term effects of cannabis.
IF PRESSED ON THE SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH FUND…
The Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund (SRHF) received $45 million from Budget 2021, and an additional $36 million from Budget 2023, over three years, to enhance access to SRH care
The fund supports community-based organizations that help make access to abortion and other sexual and reproductive health care information and services more accessible for underserved populations, including Indigenous, racialized, and/or 2SLGBTQI+ people.
IF PRESSED ON DATA RELATED TO SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH …
The Government is also investing $7.6 million over five years for Statistics Canada to collect data that will fill existing information gaps and help us target appropriate sexual and reproductive health supports for Canadians.
IF PRESSED ON THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE – HEALTH PRODUCTS FOR WOMEN (SAC-HPW)…
The Scientific Advisory Committee on Health Products for Women provides Health Canada with timely patient-centered, scientific, technical, medical and clinical advice on current and emerging issues regarding women's health and the regulation of medical devices as well as drugs.
The committee was formed in spring 2019 as an opportunity for patient advocates, physicians and researchers to provide independent, external advice to inform the drug and device regulatory process. The experts on this committee have expertise in women’s health research, clinical trials, ethics, and sex and gender-based analysis.
IF PRESSED ON THE SAFETY OF BREAST IMPLANTS…
Breast implants undergo a rigorous scientific review by Health Canada before they are licensed for sale in Canada.
All health products are associated with both benefits and risks.
Health Canada continues to monitor the safety of all medical devices once licensed, including breast implants, as scientific and medical information is continuously emerging.
The monitoring of breast implants has supported decisive actions, including the suspension of higher risk breast implants, improved labelling to support informed decision-making by patients and healthcare professionals, and increased communication to help keep Canadians up to date with safety information on breast implants.
IF PRESSED ON HEALTH CANADA’S POSITION REGARDING THE CREATION A BREAST IMPLANTS REGISTRY
Manufacturers, regulatory agencies and health care professionals all have a role to play in the safety of medical devices.
Discussions regarding the creation of a registry include important privacy considerations, and involve various health authorities and organizations.
With regard to the possible creation of a breast implant registry in Canada, Health Canada has already had the opportunity to provide its perspectives and we will assess the committee’s recommendations once the report is available.
IF PRESSED ON THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH RESEARCH INITIATIVE…
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research, in partnership with Women and Gender Equality Canada, is leading the National Women’s Health Research Initiative, supported by investments of $20 million over 5 years through Budget 2021.
The initiative is advancing a coordinated research program to address under-researched, high-priority areas of women's health and ensure evidence leads to improved care and health outcomes for women and gender-diverse people.
For instance, as announced in August 2023 and representing an $8.3 million investment, ten research hubs across Canada are now leading research in priority areas, such as reproductive health and violence prevention.

Women’s health, and the related health of diverse peoples covers a broad range of issues including, but not limited to, cancer, heart health, oral healthcare, medical assistance in dying, and substance use and addictions. Women’s health also encompasses sexual and reproductive health (SRH), which involves issues such as family planning, prenatal care, and access to abortion.
Cancer and Chronic Illness
Since 2007, Health Canada has provided approximately $50 million/year of funding to the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC), which conducts work that includes women’s cancers, such as breast and cervical cancer, among other objectives. A special 2022 report found that since 2011, cancer incidence has declined annually for women (-1.2%). Budget 2016 committed to $5 million over 5 years starting in 2016-17 to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada to support targeted research on women’s heart and vascular diseases. Moreover, Budget 2019 committed $10 million over 5 years for Ovarian Cancer Canada to address gaps in knowledge about effective prevention, screening, and treatment options for ovarian cancer. Stakeholders attributed the lack of significant improvements in outcomes since the 1990s to insufficient investments in research.
Mental Health
Many mental illnesses also occur more frequently in women and girls.
In 2020-21, the proportion of adults who showed moderate to severe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder was higher in women (17.3%) than men (10.9%). This was also the case for major depressive disorder (19.9% vs. 13.8%) and post traumatic stress disorder (8.6% vs. 5.0%).
The percentage of young women aged 18-34 years who reported “excellent” or “very good” mental health fell from 56% in 2019 to 46% in 2021.
Young women aged 18-34 years were less likely than young men of the same age to report “excellent” or “very good” mental health before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 (56% vs. 66%, respectively) and during the pandemic in 2021 (46% vs, 56%, respectively).
In late 2021/early 2022, 46% of young women aged 18-34 years old reported that their mental health was “somewhat worse now” or “much worse now” compared to before the pandemic started.
Over a fifth (22%) of girls and young women aged 15-24 years reported feeling lonely “always” or “often” in early 2022.
Young women aged 10-19 were hospitalized for eating disorders at a rate 10 times that of their male peers.
In 2018-19, 23% of new mothers reported feelings consistent with post-partum depression or an anxiety disorder.
Substance Use
Data has shown that in Canada, a significant proportion of women use substances.
Between 2016-2022, women made up 26-30% of all opioid related deaths, and 38-50% of opioid-related hospitalizations.
In 2022, First Nations women died at 11.2 times the rate of non-Indigenous women from an overdose.
Between September 2020 and December 2020, 16.2% of women self-reported an increase in their alcohol consumption.
In 2018-19, 18% of high school female students reported cannabis use.
Sexual and Reproductive Health
With the establishment of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund (SRHF), Budget 2021 allocated $45 million over three years to enhance access to SRH care and Budget 2023 renewed this commitment with an additional $36M over three years. Projects funded under the SRHF to date address access to abortion, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, Indigenous communities, including Indigenous women, and endometriosis among other issues. Additionally, per capita funding of $9.7 million has been allocated to Quebec for community-based organizations. Budget 2021 also allocated $7.6 million over five years for Statistics Canada to develop a national data initiative on SRH to improve knowledge and outcomes in this area.
Scientific Advisory Committee on Health Products for Women
In the regulatory context, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Health Products for Women (SAC-HPW) was formed in 2019 with patient advocates, physicians, and researchers who advise on drug and device regulation, with a focus on women’s health and patient perspectives. The Committee meets 3-4 times a year to examine issues across the health product life cycle, from development to real-world use, with a focus on patient perspectives and experiences.
Breast implant registry
The Standing Committee on Health (HESA) studied the feasibility of establishing a central breast implant registry. Health Canada participated as a witness on April 25, 2023. Additional meetings were held on May 9 and 11, 2023. As of October 19, 2023, the report has not been issued.
The concept of a breast implant registry has been discussed for many years: in the media; previously at HESA; by physician and patient advocates, including people with lived/living experience; and at the Health Canada Scientific Advisory Committee on Health Products for Women.
While registries are often used to support research, it is not a common mechanism to monitor the safety of medical devices. Currently there is only one known medical device registry in Canada managed by the Canadian Institute for Health Information and used for research purposes to inform clinical practice.
All breast implants in Canada undergo a scientific review for safety and effectiveness before Health Canada issues an authorization. Once licensed, Health Canada monitors breast implants and takes actions if required. Health Canada has completed numerous post-market safety reviews of breast implants and taken a number of actions, including:
• Suspending the medical device authorization for a breast implant associated with the risk of developing a rare form of cancer; and,
• Implementing comprehensive labelling changes, including a boxed warning and patient decision checklists.
Health Canada continues to actively monitor for new or increasing risks associated with breast implants. In addition, Health Canada continues to publish information for Canadians and health professionals to support decision making.
Health Canada does not provide medical advice, regulate medical decisions by doctors, or maintain a database linking individuals with the specific types of implants they have.
Health Research and Funding
With an investment of $20 million over 5 years, Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s National Women’s Health Research Initiative (NWHRI) is advancing a coordinated research program that addresses under-researched and high-priority areas of women’s health. The NWHRI conducts research on cancer, endometriosis, and mental health through an inclusive, intersectional lens.
The Public Health Agency of Canada’s Healthy Canadians and Communities Fund (HCCF) invests approximately $20 million/year and funds four projects that support women’s health. These projects support causes such as cardiovascular disease prevention for women, peer health coaching support on chronic disease risk factors, diabetes and obesity prevention for Indigenous women, and increasing physical activity and literacy among women and girls.

Health Canada funds a broad range of initiatives and organizations to promote and enhance the health of women, trans and non-binary people.
Through the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Canada, the Government of Canada supported the Action Plan to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Canada, the Pan-Canadian Framework for Action to Address Abnormal Call Rates in Breast Cancer Screening, as well as research, with $10 million in investments over five years from Budget 2019, aimed at bringing the best new treatments to women living with ovarian cancer.
Our Government acknowledges the sixth Report of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, emphasizing the interconnected factors influencing young women’s mental health, and allocated $200 billion in Budget 2023 to improve health care services for Canadians, including reporting through data disaggregation to provide more insight into women’s healthcare experiences.
Health Canada’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund was created in 2021 to advance mandate commitments. Through Budget 2021 and 2023, $81 million has been committed to the fund over 6 years. The fund supports community-based organizations that help make access to abortion, and other sexual and reproductive health care information and services more accessible for underserved populations.
Our government has prioritized women’s health issues for drugs and medical devices, and continues to monitor their safety once licensed, including breast implants, as scientific and medical information is continuously emerging.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research leads the National Women’s Health Research Initiative, supported by a Budget 2021 investment of $20 million over five years. Through this initiative, successful applicants of ten virtual research hubs were announced in August 2023, representing $8.3 million in research funding.
The Public Health Agency of Canada monitors gender-disaggregated data through its Health Inequalities Data Tool, in order to better understand health issues being faced by women and girls, and established the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care which develops and communicates clinical practice guidelines on a range of issues, including many primarily impacting women’s health.