Canada: Connected Care for Canadians Act on interoperability of health information technology, including data protection regulation was introduced to Senate

On 4 February 2026, the Connected Care for Canadians Act on interoperability of health information technology was introduced to the Senate. The Bill applies to health information technology vendors that license, sell or supply hardware, software or related services used to create, access or exchange electronic health information. The Bill defines data blocking as any practice or act by a health information technology vendor that prevents, discourages or interferes with access to, use of or exchange of electronic health information. It prohibits such conduct, subject to regulatory exceptions. The Governor in Council may further specify, by regulation, the practices that constitute data blocking and the scope of the prohibition. Vendors found to engage in data blocking may be subject to verification by the Minister of Health, complaint procedures and administrative monetary penalties.