November 2025

Dear Prime Minister Carney,

On behalf of Cancer Action Now, a national alliance of patient organizations, health charities, and life sciences partners, we welcome the release of the 2025 Federal Budget and the recognition it gives to cancer research and healthcare innovation as vital to Canada’s future.

We are encouraged by the government’s commitment to funding the Terry Fox Research Institute’s work in precision oncology. This investment will help advance targeted treatments that can improve outcomes for Canadians living with cancer and ensure that Canadians benefit from the latest innovations. Precision oncology is a critical component of modern cancer care. We also acknowledge broader health-related measures in the budget, including, investments to attract top international research talent, the Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund for healthcare professionals, the Health Infrastructure Fund, and initiatives to improve healthcare access in northern communities. These actions, if implemented effectively, can strengthen Canada’s health systems and benefit cancer patients across the country.

As partners in improving cancer care, we see important opportunities to build on these commitments and work together to address the urgent needs of Canadians living with cancer.

Opportunities to Build on Budget Commitments

Accelerate Access to Life-Saving Medicines

Reducing the time it takes for Canadians to access new cancer medicines is a shared priority. Currently, patients wait an average of two years for access through public drug plans after Health Canada approval, longer than in many peer countries. We would welcome the opportunity to work with the government to develop a national accelerated access program, building on successful provincial pilots such as Ontario’s FAST initiative, and to explore ways to strengthen Health Canada’s review capacity.

In addition to medicines, timely access must also extend to specialized cancer centers and advanced therapies, including CAR‑T cell therapy, precision oncology programs, and participation in clinical trials, which are often concentrated in certain provinces. This hurdle is particularly a challenge in Canada’s North, where the closest CAR-T centre is in Calgary, which presents a 38hr commute for some patients.

By facilitating patient mobility, expanding diagnostic capabilities, and reducing administrative barriers, we can ensure that Canadians, regardless of where they live, can benefit from the full spectrum of cutting‑edge treatments, diagnostics, and expertise available across the country.

Health Infrastructure Fund

As the program parameters are being developed for the Health Infrastructure Fund, we would encourage you to allow specialized cancer centres and the expansion of the infrastructure required to support diagnostic capabilities to be eligible.

Reduce Interprovincial Barriers to Care

We share the government’s commitment to improving healthcare access in rural, remote, and underserved communities. By working together to standardize cancer care delivery, streamline patient mobility across borders, and reduce administrative barriers, we can make meaningful progress toward equitable care for all Canadians. A key enabler of this vision is the reintroduction and passage of Bill C‑72, the Connected Care for Canadians Act, which would give all Canadians secure, digital access to their own health information and allow health providers to share patient data safely and consistently nationwide. We support the timely reintroduction of this legislation.

For cancer patients, this would mean faster, uninterrupted access to treatment, the elimination of unnecessary duplication of tests, and the assurance that oncologists and care teams have complete, up‑to‑date records regardless of location. It would also ensure that patients can access specialized treatments and clinical trials not available in their home province, removing the inequities caused by geography and enabling every Canadian to benefit from the full scope of expertise and innovation across the country.

Advance the Pan-Canadian Cancer Data Strategy

The budget’s health data investments create a foundation for improved care. By extending these investments to include a cancer-specific data strategy, with interoperable systems, shared diagnostic standards, and real-time outcome measurement, we can ensure that every province and territory has the tools to deliver equitable, high-quality cancer care.

Invest in Domestic Capacity for Cancer Research and Innovation

As mentioned above, the Terry Fox Research Institute funding is an important step, and we believe there is an opportunity to expand this approach. Canada has a proud history of world-leading cancer breakthroughs that demonstrate that Canadian researchers not only save lives here at home but also shape cancer care globally.

Sustained, targeted investment in domestic research capacity, including funding for diagnostics, clinical trials, and emerging technologies, will help retain Canada’s top scientific talent, attract leading minds from around the world, and ensure that Canadians have timely access to the next generation of cancer breakthroughs.

Health as a Foundation for Economic Strength

Investing in timely, equitable, and innovative cancer care is not only a health priority, it is a strategic investment in Canada’s economic future. Cancer impacts workforce participation, productivity, and healthcare expenditures, and the benefits of prevention and early detection extend far beyond the health system.

The Alberta Lung Cancer Screening Program is a powerful example of how targeted, preventative initiatives can transform outcomes. By providing low-dose CT scans to asymptomatic high-risk individuals, this pilot program has the potential to reduce lung cancer mortality by nearly 25% among participants. Early detection means more effective treatment, fewer late-stage diagnoses, and lower overall healthcare costs, while allowing more Canadians to remain active in their communities and the workforce.

Programs like this demonstrate that proactive cancer care not only saves lives but also strengthens the economy by reducing the burden of advanced disease, avoiding costly emergency interventions, and preserving the productivity of individuals who might otherwise be lost to illness. As Canada considers its next steps in health policy, it is imperative to expand and replicate such evidence-based screening and prevention programs nationwide, ensuring that all Canadians benefit from the same transformative approaches that are already changing lives in Alberta.

Our Commitment to Collaboration

Cancer Action Now stands ready to work alongside the federal government to ensure that the positive measures in this budget translate into measurable, life-saving outcomes for Canadians. We offer our expertise, data, and patient perspectives to help shape policies that will accelerate access, foster innovation, and guarantee equity in cancer care nationwide.

The 2025 Federal Budget takes meaningful steps in the right direction. By building on these commitments together, we can ensure that Canadians living with cancer have the best possible chance to live longer, better lives.

Sincerely,

Cancer Action Now Alliance
www.canceractionnow.ca

Cc: Minister of Finance, Minister of Health, and Members of Parliament