Health Canada Task Force on Pharmaceutical Access and Innovation

Detected March 18th, 2026

Summary

Health Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada have launched a joint Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Sector Task Force. The task force will support access to pharmaceuticals and identify solutions to drive innovation and growth in the Canadian life sciences sector.

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What changed

Health Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada have established a new Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Sector Task Force. This initiative aims to ensure reliable and sustainable access to pharmaceutical products for Canadians while also fostering innovation and competitiveness within the domestic life sciences industry. The task force will comprise senior leaders and subject matter experts who will provide advice and recommendations.

This announcement establishes a new advisory body and does not impose immediate new compliance obligations on regulated entities. Compliance officers should note the focus on improving access to medicines and supporting industry growth, which may lead to future policy or regulatory changes. No specific deadlines or penalties are associated with this notice.

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Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Sector Task Force

About the task force

The Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Sector Task Force is a joint federal initiative led by Health Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. The task force will:

support reliable and sustainable access to pharmaceutical products for people in Canada and
identify made-in-Canada solutions that drive innovation, competitiveness and long-term growth in the life sciences sector The task force will bring together senior leaders and subject matter experts with deep experience in pharmaceuticals and life sciences. These leaders and experts will give advice and recommendations for improving access to medicines while continuing to support a strong and competitive pharmaceutical and life sciences industry in Canada.

Co-chair biographies

Martin LeBlanc

Martin is co-founder and Vice-Chairman of CellCarta Biosciences, after having served as CEO for over 16 years. Formerly known as Caprion Biosciences, the Montreal-based company is a leading global provider of specialized precision medicine laboratory services to the biopharmaceutical industry. Martin also serves as a strategic advisor to 3 private equity funds, chairs the boards of directors of Icentia and Saguaro Biosciences, and sits on the boards of several other life sciences companies. Before co-founding Caprion, he was a management consultant for McKinsey & Company and led Advanced Bioconcept, which was acquired by NEN Life Sciences (now Revvity).

In a volunteer capacity, Martin has served on the Governing Council of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and on the Health and Biosciences Strategy Tables of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the Université de Moncton and bachelor's and master's degrees in philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University, as a Rhodes scholar.

Michelle Boudreau

Michelle Boudreau has worked in community and hospital pharmacy and with the Government of Canada in health policy and health products regulation. Her various leadership positions include Associate Assistant Deputy Minister in the Health Policy Branch, Director General in program administration, pharmaceutical policy and health product regulation, and legal counsel to Health Canada. Michelle holds degrees in pharmacy and law.