Public Health Agency of Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is a federal agency of the Government of Canada, established in 2004 and formalized by legislation in 2006. Its core mission is to protect and improve the health of Canadians, reduce health risks, and prevent diseases and injuries. The agency's headquarters are primarily located in Ottawa, Ontario, with a significant operational presence, including the National Microbiology Laboratory, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

PHAC's mandate encompasses a wide array of public health services and programs. These include providing public health notices, information on diseases and conditions, guidance for healthy living, and border and travel health advisories. The agency is also responsible for food recalls, risks, and outbreaks, as well as national vaccination and immunization programs. Furthermore, PHAC oversees biosafety and biosecurity measures and leads pandemic preparedness and response efforts. Key initiatives include the National Emergency Stockpile System, the National Antiviral Stockpile, and the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program.

As of April 2026, Nancy Hamzawi serves as the President of the Public Health Agency of Canada, appointed in June 2025, while Dr. Joss Reimer began her term as the Chief Public Health Officer on April 1, 2026. In a notable recent development, PHAC took over the Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP) and relaunched it as the Vaccine Impact Assistance Program (VIAP) on April 1, 2026. The agency continues to issue statements on critical public health matters, such as vaccination, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of Canada's public health framework and a key collaborator with various governmental and international health organizations.