Canada's Health Infostructure

CANARIE

Canada's Advanced Internet Development Organization, CANARIE Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation supported by its members, project partners and the federal government. It was incorporated in March 1993, as the Canadian Network for the Advancement of Research, Industry and Education, to accelerate Canada's advanced Internet development and use. CANARIE facilitates the widespread adoption of faster, more efficient networks and the development of advanced products, applications and services to run on them.

CANARIE partners with governments, industry, research and education communities to leverage the enabling capacity of the Internet to deliver the benefits of the information age to Canadians.

In September 1997, CANARIE released its vision paper, "Towards a Canadian Health Iway". The report envisioned a virtual information centre that would be created and used by communities and individuals across Canada providing health information to professionals and public alike. It would be open and accessible, yet assure confidentiality and privacy; support research and training; and facilitate management of the health system. Above all, it would act as an agent of change, helping to improve Canadians' health and fostering the development of globally competitive Canadian technologies and services.

Health Canada has collaborated extensively with CANARIE. For example, in August 1998, they co-hosted a one-day Tele-homecare Consultation Workshop. CANARIE was also represented on the Minister's Advisory Council on Health Infostructure.