Health-data sharing across provinces is the cornerstone of the government’s new AI strategy, but will our privacy really be protected?

If Canada wants to become a global leader in health AI, it should also become a global leader in demonstrating that 'privacy-preserving' AI actually preserves privacy.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel in the National Press Theatre on June 15, 2026. Much of today's health data-sharing discussion focuses on fragmentation or data silos, but that fragmentation is not our biggest problem. Canada has never built the standards needed to govern AI-enabled health-data sharing, writes Dean Regier and Bret Nestor.

The federal government has made health-data sharing across provinces a cornerstone of Canada's new AI strategy, with promises it will be “privacy preserving.” The premise is that Canada can generate economic benefit from health-data sharing while still safeguarding Canad...

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.


Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

A round up of the past week’s opinion writers and columnists on Saturdays and Sundays.


By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy

MORE Opinion