Who We Are

• Public Health Agency of Canada Act
• Health Portfolio
• Public Health Agency of Canada organization chart

Mission:

To promote and protect the health of Canadians through leadership, partnership, innovation and action in public health.

Vision:

Healthy Canadians and communities in a healthier world.

Values:

• Leadership
• Healthy Work Environment
• Ethical Behaviour
• Commitment to Excellence
• Dedication to Service

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is the main Government of Canada agency responsible for public health in Canada. PHAC’s primary goal is to strengthen Canada’s capacity to protect and improve the health of Canadians and to help reduce pressures on the health-care system. To do this, the Agency is working to build an effective public health system that enables Canadians to achieve better health and well-being in their daily lives by promoting good health, helping prevent and control chronic diseases and injury, and protecting Canadians from infectious diseases and other threats to their health. PHAC is also committed to reducing health disparities between the most advantaged and disadvantaged Canadians.

Because public health is a shared responsibility, the Public Health Agency of Canada works in close collaboration with all levels of government (provincial, territorial and municipal) to build on each others’ skills and strengths. The Agency also works closely with non-government organizations, including civil society and business, and other countries and international organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) to share knowledge, expertise and experiences.

The Public Health Agency of Canada was established in September 2004, in part as a response to the SARS outbreak in 2003, and was confirmed as a legal entity in December 2006 by the Public Health Agency of Canada Act.

PHAC is one of six departments and agencies that make up the federal government’s Health Portfolio and reports to Parliament through the Minister of Health. PHAC is managed by the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, currently Dr. David Butler-Jones, who plays a dual role:

• Deputy minister in the federal public service, heading the Agency and advising the Minister of Health on matters of public health and the function of the Agency; and
• Lead federal public health professional tasked with communicating directly with Canadians and governments on important public health matters.

The Public Health Agency of Canada consists of two branches, led by a senior assistant deputy minister and an assistant deputy minister. Three other PHAC executives report directly to the Chief Public Health Officer: the Senior Science Advisor, the Chief Audit Executive, and the Chief Financial Officer.

To maintain the knowledge and skills needed to develop and deliver the public health advice and tools required by Canadians, the Agency relies on the efforts of its dedicated staff. PHAC’s approximately 2,400 employees work across Canada in a wide range of operational, scientific, technical and administrative positions.