Evidence brief: Why Canada’s commitment to the WHO matters

Evidence brief: Why Canada’s commitment to the WHO matters

Canada’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) is an investment in our health security, research leadership, and global standing. The cost of Canada remaining in the WHO—roughly $30 million annually—provides immense benefits in global health surveillance, emergency preparedness, and scientific collaboration. Without it, Canada would face higher health risks, reduced influence on international policies, and increased costs of independently developing health security measures. Beyond cost, Canada may lack sufficient human resources and intelligence to develop reliable health security to ensure the best health possible for Canadians.

Canada’s health security is directly tied to the WHO’s work. The organization coordinates global responses to pandemics, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), foodborne illnesses, and environmental health risks—issues that do not stop at borders. Without WHO coordination, nations are left to fight health threats in isolation, increasing the risk of delayed responses and preventable outbreaks.

Key benefits of WHO membership for Canada and global health equity:

1. Access to vital health data and standards
   • Global surveillance and early warning systems: The WHO provides real-time global health intelligence, allowing Canada to track and prepare for emerging health threats, such as COVID-19, Ebola, and new antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
   • Health metrics and standards: The WHO establishes critical international health norms, ensuring Canadians receive care based on the highest global standards.
2. Addressing global health challenges that affect us all
   • Managing transnational health issues: The WHO facilitates international collaboration to manage health crises, including refugee health, war-related displacements, and disease outbreaks.
   • Supporting low- and middle-income countries: If these countries lack infection prevention and control systems, it increases the global spread of diseases, putting Canada at risk.
3. Combatting AMR
   • The WHO is the primary organization collecting global data on AMR through the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS), tracking 16 major bacterial threats and trends in antimicrobial use.
   • O’Brien Institute for Public Health researchers have contributed to WHO-funded AMR research, including systematic reviews that shaped global policies on antimicrobial use in livestock.
   • The WHO also assists countries in developing antimicrobial stewardship programs, ensuring that Canada benefits from shared expertise rather than tackling this growing crisis alone.
4. Strengthening Canada’s global health influence
   • Canada’s global influence: As a mid-sized country in terms of population, Canada has a bigger impact on global health by working with international organizations like the WHO. Being part of the WHO helps ensure our voice is heard when important health policies are made, and gives us the opportunity to hear voices from other countries.
   • Canada’s role in WHO Collaborating Centres: WHO’s network of Collaborating Centres, including those housed at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine, contribute to policy development, research, and public health strategies worldwide. For example, one Collaborating Centre at University of Calgary co-led by Drs Hude Quan and William Ghali is actively testing and revising International Classification of Diseases to capture new diseases and medical advancement in a timely manor. Through the Centre, students have been sent to WHO headquarters for internships. 
5. The WHO’s role in promoting health equity for migrants
   • The WHO assists countries in developing policies that address the health needs of marginalized populations, including migrants and refugees.
   • The WHO collects data on health disparities, helping to identify the specific health challenges faced by migrants and vulnerable populations.
   • The WHO supports countries in building their health systems to ensure they can effectively address the needs of all populations, including migrants.
   • The WHO advocates for the inclusion of health equity in national and international health agendas, emphasizing the importance of addressing social determinants of health.
   • The WHO provides guidance on the delivery of health services that are accessible, affordable, and culturally appropriate for migrants.
   • The WHO fosters collaboration among countries, NGOs, academics, and other stakeholders to improve health outcomes for migrants and promote equity.
   • The WHO promotes universal health coverage, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their migration status, have access to essential health services.

While some countries, notably the United States, have chosen to withdraw from the WHO, Canada must reject isolationism and reaffirm its commitment to multilateral health collaboration. The U.S. decision is based on a go-it-alone approach that weakens global efforts to tackle health challenges together. Unlike the U.S., Canada has historically relied on international partnerships to strengthen its health systems, research networks, and economic stability.

Canada has consistently led global health financing, contributing over CAD 900 million in the past decade to support initiatives like polio eradication and COVID-19 response efforts. This investment ensures that Canada remains at the forefront of global health solutions rather than relying on external nations to set the agenda.

Now is the time to reinforce—not weaken—our commitment to the WHO. By staying engaged, Canada secures its place as a leader in global health science, strengthens its national health preparedness, and upholds its moral responsibility to support global health equity.

The cost of leaving the WHO is far greater than the cost of staying in. Without it, Canada would face weakened health security, reduced access to critical global data, information and knowledge, and diminished influence on international health decisions.

We urge policymakers and the public to continue to advocate for a stronger, more engaged Canadian role in global health collaboration.

This statement reflects the evidence and insights contributed by members of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health. It is intended to foster dialogue and contribute to evidence-informed public discourse on this issue.

Authors:

Dr. Herman Barkema, DVM, PhD, lead, Antimicrobial Resistance – One Health Consortium, and CAN-AMR-Net

Dr. Annalee Coakley, MD, director, Refugee Health YYC

Dr. Cathy A. Eastwood, RN, PhD, associate director, Research and Strategic Partnerships,
Centre for Health Informatics

Dr. Stephanie Garies, PhD, primary care scientist, Department of Family Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine

Dr. Hude Quan, PhD, director, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre in Classification, Terminology and Standards, Cumming School of Medicine

Ms. Danielle Southern, MSc, associate director, Methods and Analytics, Centre for Health Informatics, Cumming School of Medicine