Dalena Reporters l December 26, 2025
Canada’s Health Minister, Marjorie Michel, has declared that the country can no longer depend on U.S. health institutions as reliable partners for public health guidance and scientific collaboration, citing changes in the American health policy landscape that have undermined trust in U.S. agencies. Michel, speaking in Ottawa, said Canada traditionally looked to the United States for scientific information and public health leadership, but this practice must now change in light of recent shifts within U.S. health agencies under the administration of President Donald Trump.
The minister’s remarks follow reports that U.S. public health bodies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have faced significant budget cuts and structural changes, diminishing their capacity to collect and analyse vital public health data and weakening their role as international reference points. Additionally, an advisory panel appointed by the U.S. health secretary has recommended major changes to childhood vaccine schedules, including ending routine hepatitis B vaccination for newborns — a move that raised concerns about scientific rigor and evidence‑based policy.
Michel emphasised that while Canada will continue to monitor developments in the United States, Ottawa now seeks “reliable partners” committed to science‑based approaches, particularly on matters such as vaccine efficacy and public health emergencies. The minister’s comments reflect growing unease among Canadian health officials about relying on U.S. institutions whose priorities and strategies are perceived to have shifted, potentially impacting cross‑border collaboration on disease prevention and health research.
Her statement comes amid broader debates in Canada over health‑care funding, system pressures, and the need to bolster domestic capacity for research and innovation, as provinces and the federal government negotiate funding solutions while addressing systemic challenges.
Source: The Canadian Press