Developing a Canadian Network for Health in All Policies: Consultations with Actors from Canada and Abroad

Health in All Policies (HiAP) is a global initiative rooted in the principles of health promotion and intersectoral actions first introduced by Finland’s European Union presidency in 2006 (Ståhl, 2018). More specifically, it refers to “an approach to public policies across sectors that systematically takes into account the health implications of decisions, seeks synergies, and avoids harmful health impacts in order to improve population health and health equity” (World Health Organization, 2014, p. i17). As such, it could have great potential for guiding the post-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic recovery efforts of various actors to promote the health and wellbeing of Canadians while also striving to reduce health inequalities. This report presents the findings of a consultation conducted to inform the project of creating a Canadian Network for Health in All Policies (CNHiAP).

The objective of this consultation was to explore the interest and feasibility of a CNHiAP. The specific aim was to increase our understanding of the added value and utility of a CNHiAP; its potential objectives, scope and activities; promising practices in terms of HiAP knowledge exchange and capacity building; promising practices in terms of network management and engagement with members; and potential members’ contributions to the CNHiAP.

The qualitative methods employed contributed to the richness and credibility of the findings. This richness, as evidenced in this report, encompasses different views and sometimes opposing visions of main issues. This does not preclude, however, the possibility of making observations which allow us to identify common points, shared visions and some guiding principles that can inform subsequent steps.