On June 22, 2023, the Government of Canada released the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (PCAP), developed in partnership with provinces and territories. The PCAP is a 5-year blueprint (2023 to 2027) for strengthening Canada's collective antimicrobial resistance (AMR) response using the One Health approach. It recognizes the close interplay between humans, animals and their shared environment. We continue to work with federal, provincial and territorial partners to support the PCAP and actions outlined in Building Momentum: Activities underway to address antimicrobial resistance.
On this page
- Advancing knowledge
- Measuring what matters
- Exploring and expanding options
- Prioritizing infection prevention and control
- Global collaboration
- Additional information
Advancing knowledge
Continued participation and support for research programs and assessments that aim to expand knowledge on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including:
- sharing research findings from the Genomic Research and Development Initiative Shared Priority Project (GRDI SPP) on AMR – One Health (2022-2027) to help to deepen our knowledge of AMR and antimicrobial use (AMU)
- incorporating key findings from the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) Assessment on Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use in Food Producing Animals to further strengthen the responsible use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals in Canada
- sharing resources on antimicrobial resistance in animals to support conversations on how to help minimize the risk of AMR in animals
Measuring what matters
Setting starting points, goals and ways to track progress on responsible AMU and AMR reduction in the agriculture and agri-food sector which includes:
- collecting data on AMR in feed ingredients and mixed feed to include in the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS) to support One Health reporting on AMU and AMR in Canada
- sharing examples from other countries on how they set starting points and goals to give a global perspective
Exploring and expanding options
Adding and expanding tools by:
- including 40 Veterinary Health Products (VHPs) which can be mixed with livestock feed in the Compendium of Non-Feed Products as part of the plan to develop and implement policies, and guidance material on Veterinary Health Products to further facilitate access to alternatives to using antimicrobials
- approving 15 new veterinary biologics (vaccines, antibody products, in vitro diagnostic test kits) and consulted on or approved innovative feed products (gut modifiers, mycotoxin detoxifiers, feed mitigants) to help keep animals healthy which can help reduce the need for antimicrobial use
- exploring options to provide access to annual sales data for livestock vaccines to track and analyze patterns that impact animal health and antimicrobial use
Prioritizing infection prevention and control
Supporting infection prevention and control efforts by:
- updating the National Biosecurity Standards and Biosecurity Principles for plants/crops and animals to make it easier for industry to put strategies into practice to help prevent infection
- we provided input to the World Organisation for Animal Health on the new Biosecurity chapter, which will support countries in preventing the introduction of disease and reduce the need to use antimicrobials
- working with Animal Health Canada to develop biosecurity and disease prevention resources to support disease preparedness for farmers
- publishing modernised livestock feed regulatory changes (Feeds Regulations, 2024) in Part II of the Canada Gazette on July 3, 2024 reducing regulatory burden for and facilitating access to feed and nutritional aids for animal health including veterinary health products
Global collaboration
Involvement in Canadian inter-departmental and global AMR initiatives such as Trans-Atlantic Task Force on AMR, Quadripartite Alliance AMR Network, World Organisation for Animal Health committees and G7 forums. We played key roles through the:
- Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission (May 2024 to May 2027) – supporting World Organisation for Animal Health members through developing and revising standards and guidance on animal health AMU and AMR
- G7 CVO meetings – Canada's Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), Dr. Mary Jane Ireland meets with CVO's from G7 member countries to collaborate on infection prevention and control disease management as well as the facilitation of trade in animals and animal products
- International Plant Protection Convention's (IPPC) Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) – a CFIA expert served as Chair for a 2-year term (2023 to 2025) to support evaluation of the potential value and scope of best practices for minimizing the emergency of AMR associated with AMU in crop protection
Learn more about the Government of Canada's progress on AMR by referring to:
- Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance: Year 2 Progress Report (June 2024 to May 2025)
- Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance: Year 1 Progress Report (June 2023 to May 2024).