Canada’s Bill C-72: How We Can Help You Stay Ahead in the Connected Care Revolution

A patient arrives at the emergency room with a complicated medical history. 

Their vital health records are scattered across clinics, labs, and specialists. 

Doctors can't quickly access crucial information. 

This delay could lead to a misdiagnosis, treatment mistakes, or worse—risking the patient’s safety.

Sadly, this isn't rare in Canada’s healthcare system. 

Fragmented health data has been a long-standing issue. 

That’s where Bill C-72, the Connected Care for Canadians Act, comes in.

Introduced in June 2024, Bill C-72 aims to fix this problem. It’s all about making health information easier to access, share, and secure. 

The goal? A connected, person-centered healthcare system. 

It also cracks down on data blocking, ensuring technology vendors don’t stand in the way of better care.

In this blog, we’ll break down Bill C-72 in simple terms. 

We’ll explain what it means for healthcare providers, IT vendors, and patients. 

Plus, we’ll share how we can help you stay ready for this new era of connected healthcare in Canada. 

What is Bill C-72 and Why Does It Matter?

Bill C-72, or the Connected Care for Canadians Act, is a federal law introduced in June 2024. It’s a big step toward solving Canada’s long-standing issue of fragmented health data. 

The Act aims to create a connected, secure, and patient-focused healthcare system by making it easier to share health data across platforms.

Here’s what it’s all about:

Key Goals of Bill C-72:

1. Enhanced Patient Safety

• Doctors need access to a patient’s full medical history to avoid errors.
• For example, in emergencies, quick access to records can prevent misdiagnoses or treatment delays.

2. Better Access to Health Information

• Patients and healthcare providers can access health records securely and digitally.
• Picture someone in a remote community consulting a specialist in a major city. Bill C-72 makes this smoother through seamless data sharing.

3. Encouraging Innovation

• The Act promotes new technologies like AI-powered diagnostics or remote patient monitoring.
• These tools can improve care and efficiency.

4. A Connected National Health System

• Bill C-72 encourages collaboration among provinces, territories, and Indigenous communities.
• The goal is to standardize how health data is shared across Canada.

5. Protecting Privacy

• The Act prioritizes strong safeguards for personal health information.
• It works alongside existing privacy laws to ensure data security.

Important Terms to Know:

• Health Information Technology (HIT): This includes tools like electronic health records (EHRs), telehealth platforms, and even health-tracking apps.

• Data Blocking: This refers to actions that prevent or slow down the sharing of health data. The Act aims to stop this practice.

• Interoperability: It’s the ability of different systems to work together and share data smoothly. This is the foundation of a connected healthcare system.

Why It Matters to Healthcare Providers and IT Vendors:

• Improved Patient Care: With full access to accurate data, healthcare providers can make better decisions.

• Streamlined Workflows: Automated data sharing means less paperwork and more focus on patients.

• Innovation Opportunities: Easier access to data fuels research and the development of cutting-edge healthcare solutions.

Bill C-72 is more than just a law; it’s a roadmap to better healthcare for all Canadians. 

Who Does Bill C-72 Impact?

Bill C-72 impacts everyone involved in Canada’s healthcare system. Here’s how it affects different groups:

Health Information Technology (HIT) Vendors

HIT vendors face the biggest responsibilities under this law.

1. Interoperability

• Vendors must ensure their technology can easily and securely exchange health information with other systems.
• Future regulations will set specific standards for how this works.

2. No Data Blocking

• Vendors cannot block or slow the sharing of health information.
• Examples of data blocking practices will be detailed in upcoming rules.

3. Penalties for Breaking Rules

• Vendors that don’t comply with the law may face fines.
• A system for filing complaints about non-compliant vendors will also be created.

Healthcare Providers

While the law doesn’t directly target healthcare providers, it changes how they work with technology.

1. Choosing Technology

• Providers must pick systems that meet the new national standards.
• This could mean upgrading or replacing old technology.

2. Managing Vendors

• Contracts with vendors will need to ensure compliance with Bill C-72.
• Providers may have to renegotiate or even end agreements with vendors who refuse to adapt.

3. Training Staff

• Providers will need to train their teams on the new systems.
• This ensures smooth workflows under the new rules.

Patients

Bill C-72 focuses heavily on empowering patients.

1. Control Over Health Information

• Patients will have easier and secure access to their medical records.
• This allows them to participate more actively in their healthcare decisions.

2. Streamlined Access

• Patients won’t need to manually gather records from multiple clinics anymore.
• For example, someone who visits a new specialist can quickly share their full medical history without delays.

Navigating the Transition to a Connected Healthcare System

Bill C-72 is set to revolutionize healthcare in Canada, but getting there won’t happen overnight. The shift to a connected system means tackling new tech requirements, tightening up data security, and rethinking vendor relationships.

1. Start with Internal Assessments

Start by taking a good look at your current systems.

Are your technologies playing nice with each other? How’s your data-sharing process? Any security gaps lurking around? 

Answering these questions will give you a roadmap for what needs fixing.

2. Upgrade Technology and Infrastructure

Upgrading your tech will probably be next on the list. 

Maybe your EHR system needs an update—or even a complete switch to meet interoperability standards. 

Secure data-sharing tools like APIs will also come in handy, along with beefed-up cybersecurity to keep patient info safe.

3. Train Your Team

Don’t forget your team. They need to know what Bill C-72 means for their day-to-day. 

Train them on privacy best practices, show them how the new tools work, and make sure everyone’s clear on what they can (and can’t) do with patient data.

4. Review Vendor Contracts

Then, there are your contracts with tech vendors. This is a big one. 

You might need to tweak terms, renegotiate deals, or even find new vendors who can meet the Act’s requirements.

5. Collaborate with Stakeholders & Seek Expert Help

And you’re not in this alone. Work with other providers, talk to your vendors, and keep an eye on government updates to stay ahead of any changes. 

If things get too tricky, bring in IT consultants or legal experts—they’ll make sure you’re on the right track.

SyS Creations: Your Trusted Partner for Bill C-72 Compliance

Navigating the new healthcare landscape under Bill C-72 can feel overwhelming. That’s where SyS Creations steps in. With over 10 years of experience in healthcare IT, we specialize in helping healthcare providers, startups, and enterprises meet evolving regulations while ensuring seamless operations.

Here’s how we can support you:

• EHR Interoperability Made Simple

Struggling with outdated systems? We’ll assess your current EHR setup, identify gaps, and create a customized plan to make your systems compliant. Using standards like HL7 and FHIR, we’ll ensure your platforms exchange data securely and effortlessly.

• Robust Data Security and Privacy

Protecting patient data is non-negotiable. We’ll perform in-depth security checks to find vulnerabilities and implement solutions that meet Ontario’s PHIPA and other privacy standards. From better governance policies to advanced cybersecurity, we’ll have you covered.

• Smart Vendor Selection

Not all tech vendors can meet Bill C-72’s interoperability demands. We’ll guide you in picking vendors who comply with these standards. Plus, we’ll help you negotiate contracts that protect your interests while ensuring regulatory alignment.

• Staff Training That Works

Change can be hard, especially for your team. We offer practical training sessions to help your staff understand interoperability, data security, and their roles under the Act.

Bill C-72 isn’t just a compliance hurdle—it’s an opportunity to embrace innovation and deliver better care. Let us help you make this transition stress-free.