The health of a nation is a pillar of national security. A country’s ability to protect its sovereignty is closely tied to the safety and well-being of its people and institutions, including its health-care system — which, for Canadians, is a source of pride and a core foundation of national identity. 

Health security is part of national security’s interconnected web of domains. In 2004, Canada released Securing an Open Society: Canada’s National Security Policy, the country’s first-ever comprehensive national security strategic framework and action plan. The policy adopted an integrated approach across government and identified six key areas of focus: intelligence, emergency planning and management, transport security, border security, international security and public health.

Its outcomes included:

• The creation of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and the position of Chief Public Health Officer;
• The expansion of the National Microbiology Laboratory and the Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses;
• The replenishment and modernization of the National Emergency Stockpile System;
• The establishment of the Health Emergency Response Teams to enhance capacity to respond to health emergencies; 
• The federal commitment to working with the provinces and territories to strengthen public health across the country; and
• The increased capacity for public health surveillance capacity across Canada.

Despite these advancements, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in Canada’s preparedness. The rise of health-related mis- and disinformation during the pandemic undermined public trust in science and increased vaccine hesitancy. According to the World Health Organization, mis- and disinformation threaten a nation’s stability by reducing the effectiveness of public health measures, fostering division within society and increasing distrust of institutions and governments. 

Amid current threats to our nation’s sovereignty and security, health security requires going beyond the traditional public-health lens. This includes improving critical health infrastructure, robust health-care sector cybersecurity and strengthening domestic capacity in the biomanufacturing sector.

Health infrastructure in this country is recognized as critical infrastructure. Canada’s  identifies health as one of its 10 partner sectors, with hospitals and medical facilities considered vital assets. Yet, more than 50% of Canada’s health infrastructure is more than 50 years old, and it’s vulnerable to natural disasters — such as wildfires — as well as to human-generated hazards such as electricity supply disruptions. Aging physical and technological infrastructure, along with just-in-time supply chain management, have been identified as key areas that need further exploration of risk, options and strategies to strengthen the sector’s resilience.

Cyber threats targeting Canada’s health-care sector — whether by state-sponsored actors for espionage or by cybercriminals for financial gain — are growing in frequency and intensity. These attacks on research laboratories, health-care institutions and vaccine supply chains have implications for Canada’s physical, economic and national security. A cyberattack on a major hospital network could disrupt critical medical services and endanger lives. The theft of proprietary information could undermine our research advantage. Disruptions to the technology used in research laboratories could compromise operations or expose laboratory staff and communities to virulent pathogens.

On March 12, 2025, the federal government introduced the Canadian Program for Cyber Security Certification, establishing standards to strengthen the security of the national defence supply chain. Strengthening cybersecurity in health care should also be considered essential for national security.

The federal government is responding to external threats by supporting this country’s domestic biomanufacturing ecosystem. Health Emergency Readiness Canada — a special agency within Innovation, Science and Economic Development that is supported by PHAC and Health Canada — is tasked with strengthening the country’s response to health emergencies. The agency supports the development and production of medical countermeasures, including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. 

On March 18, 2025, the federal government announced a $60-million contribution to Delpharm Boucherville Canada Inc.’s $220-million facility modernization and expansion project in Boucherville, Quebec. The project will double the facility’s sterile injectables production capacity and enhance Canada’s ability to supply essential medical products both domestically and globally.

In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, threats to Canada’s national security continue to evolve. Health security must be recognized not only as a public health imperative, but also as a pillar of national security. Strengthening health security demands public awareness, continuous investment, cross-sector collaboration and its full integration into national security planning.

Senator F. Gigi Osler represents Manitoba. She is an internationally renowned surgeon and a dedicated advocate for health and health care.

This article was published in The Hill Times on April 3, 2025.