How a secretive Health Canada becomes captive to private interests

Health Canada operates more in the interest of drug, medical device, cosmetic, pesticide, tobacco, food, veterinarian, and hazardous product companies, and it’s hard to get information on this lobbying.

Health Minister Marjorie Michel. Health Canada continues to stumble its way through crucial and deadly health and safety files like asbestos and tobacco, writes Ken Rubin.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY KEN RUBIN

June 3, 2026

OTTAWA—For far too long, Health Canada has operated largely in secret, been captive to special interests it supposedly regulates, and has been too complacent and complicit in the health risks such products pose.

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