Social Affairs Division Parliamentary Information and Research
Service Library of Parliament Revised 20 October 2008* PDF (59
Kb, 4 pages) Canadians know that both the provinces and the
federal government are involved in matters generally related to
health and health care, but there is often confusion in the
public’s mind about provincial and federal jurisdiction. Part of
the uncertainty reflects the distinction between health and
health care. Health (in its broadest sense) refers to the
desirability of maintaining or achieving a positive state of
overall well-being. Health care (in its narrowest sense) refers
to medical services offered by physicians and hospitals. The
federal government has numerous responsibilities relevant to
health but the provinces are responsible for delivering health
care to the majority of Canadians. It is not surprising, given
the period in which it was written, that the Constitution Act,
1867 does not explicitly include “health” as a legislative power
assigned either to Parliament