2002 December Report of the Auditor General of Canada

1991

The National Task Force on Health Information observed deficiencies in existing data systems and concluded a health "information gap" existed. It recommended the creation of a non-governmental institute for health information to address the information gap.

1994

The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) was established in response to the Task Force recommendation.

1995

Health Canada and Statistics Canada jointly funded CIHI via the Health Information Contribution Program. Under the program, CIHI received $18 million over five years to facilitate and co-ordinate at a national level the development and maintenance of a comprehensive and integrated health information system, and to provide and co-ordinate the provision of accurate and timely information required for establishing sound health policy, effectively managing the Canadian health system, and generating public awareness about factors affecting good health.

1999

CIHI, with the Advisory Committee on Population Health, Health Canada, and Statistics Canada, convened the first National Consensus Conference on Population Health Indicators. A framework was adopted and indicators were identified for initial reporting.

The federal Budget provided a $95 million grant to CIHI over four years to work on reporting regularly on the health care system. The Health Information Roadmap Initiative was established as a collaborative effort among CIHI, Statistics Canada, Health Canada, provincial and territorial ministries of health, and other groups.

2000

Health Canada and Statistics Canada renewed the Health Information Contribution Program until 2005. Under the renewed program, CIHI received $13.3 million.

First Ministers issued their Communiqué on Health in response to the federal government's provision of additional funds for health care to the provinces and territories. First Ministers made a commitment to regular public reporting. Specifically, the Ministers directed health ministers to

• provide comprehensive and regular public reporting by each government on the health programs and services they deliver, on health system performance, and on progress toward priorities;
• collaborate on the development of a comprehensive framework using jointly agreed comparable indicator areas such that each government will begin reporting by September 2002. These 14 comparable indicator areas will address health status, health outcomes, and quality of service; and
• determine appropriate independent third party verification to certify and analyze health system information.

2001

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology initiated a study on the role of the federal government in health care. The Committee issued reports in 2001 and 2002. The importance of good-quality health information was re-affirmed.

The Prime Minister announced the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. The Commission issued an interim report in February 2002. The interim report commented that "despite recent efforts, good, comparable information on far too many aspects of our health care system—from waiting times, to costs, to treatment outcomes—is woefully lacking." The Commission issued its final report in November 2002.

The federal Budget renewed funding (an additional $95 million grant) to CIHI, to be used in conjunction with Statistics Canada, to continue to, among other things, develop common health indicators so that nationwide, comparable information is available.

2002

In September, the federal, provincial, and territorial governments released their health indicators reports.