Strategic Partners

With more than 7,000 members across the country, our numbers do the talking. But sometimes, when the issues are really big, it helps to join forces with like-minded organizations.

SAC belongs to several coalitions, which work to improve quality and access to health care in Canada. Below, you’ll find a list of some of the groups we’re affiliated with along with information about their mandates and membership.

An employee wearing headphones takes a video call on their laptop

HEAL Organizations for Health Action logo

HEAL, Organizations for Health Action, is a coalition of 40 national health organizations dedicated to improving the health of Canadians and the quality of care they receive. Our members are professional associations of regulated health care providers and organizations of health charities that provide a range of health care services across Canada.

Created in 1991, HEAL now represents more than 650,000 providers (and consumers) of health care. HEAL, as an organization, is uniquely positioned to champion issues and innovations that shape and reshape health care at the national level. A key focus for HEAL is the promotion of sustainable solutions and health system transformations for lasting impact on the health and well- being of all Canadians.

As a national coalition, HEAL decisions are based on a consensus-based approach. The coalition meets four times per year with the objectives of:

  • Sharing information across organizations;
  • Working on strategic issues that are of importance to all members; and,
  • Meeting with external organizations to discuss policy issues of mutual interest and importance.

Background

The EHPC membership consists of organizations that represent the regulated health professions that makeup Canada’s healthcare composite. The EHPC is a coalition of health providers allied to medicine and nursing that provide services within publicly and privately funded systems. The EHPC comprises over 100,000 of Canada’s regulated healthcare professionals. EHPC members come together because of a common interest in advancing public policy in support of the health and well-being of the people of Canada. The EHPC speaks with a singular voice to ensure that health services provided in the public and private sectors are fully recognized by stakeholders and decision-makers in patient health and are accessible to the Canadian public. The work of the EHPC is advanced through collaboration with partners in health, social care, and education to support a position that recognizes health services; involves a continuum of promotion, prevention, and treatment; and takes place across all sectors where people live and work. The EHPC aims to improve the health and welfare of all Canadians; promote excellence and innovation in health research, education, and practice; and promote the advancement, development, dissemination, and application of knowledge that advances health, social services and well-being for Canadians.

Mandate

The EHPC aims to:

  • To be a strong credible voice on health and healthcare policy across Canada
  • Engage with other stakeholders and decision-makers to influence health and social policy in Canada
  • Be an essential partner for the achievement of government objectives for health and social services
  • Support member professions in influencing health policy and addressing member issues relevant to the science and practice of healthcare
  • Share information and best practices
Membership
  • Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
  • Canadian Association of Social Workers
  • Canadian Association of Optometrists
  • Canadian Chiropractic Association
  • Canadian Dental Association
  • Canadian Dental Hygienists Association
  • Canadian Pharmacists Association
  • Canadian Physiotherapy Association
  • Canadian Psychological Association
  • Dietitians of Canada
  • Speech-Language & Audiology Canada

Pan Canadian Alliance logo

What is the Pan Canadian Alliance (PCA)?

The Pan Canadian Alliance is a group of provincial and territorial speech-language pathology and audiology associations* and the national association Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC/OAC).

What does the PCA do?

  • It is an information and networking group sharing news, ideas and resources regarding professional issues related to speech, language and hearing issues.
  • It is a group that takes on strategic plans that support the work of speech-language and audiology professionals across Canada via their provincial and territorial associations. It is an Alliance that collaborates on issues that impact our professional bodies and the clients whom our professions serve.
  • It is a networking group that identifies priority areas for advocacy and action, while respecting the complementary roles of the member associations, at the provincial, territorial and national levels.
  • Meetings are held throughout the year to coordinate member association efforts, including but not limited to advocacy, public awareness and education, individual member benefits and social media.
  • It serves to represent members across Canada via their provincial and territorial associations.

PCA info sheet

The Hearing Health Alliance of Canada is comprised of hearing health-related organizations working together to share information and achieve a common purpose, which is to be a unified national voice within the hearing health sector, profession and community.

It will guide – through collaboration – the future of the hearing health sector by:

  • Facilitating a unified national voice through advocacy, government relations and outreach on issues of common interest;
  • Collaborating on the advancement of policy, legislative, regulatory and consumer issues of common interest;
  • Coordinating research and proposals or submissions to government on issues of common interest,
  • Raising the profile and awareness of hearing health and the impact of hearing loss, and;
  • Calling on governments to address hearing loss as a public health issue.

The Canadian Coalition for Public Health in the 21st Century (CCPH21) is a national network of non-profit organizations, professional associations, health charities and academic researchers who share the common goal to improve and sustain the health of Canadians.

The Coalition formed in May 2003 and now includes 21 member organizations

Mandate

CCPH21 advocates for public policy to ensure that adequate public health functions are in place and information is made available to protect and promote health, and prevent disease and injury.

CCPH21 aims to help all stakeholders work together for the future of public health by generating ideas and potential policy directions for discussion among both the public and decision-makers.

Coalition Principles

  • Public health is a pan-Canadian responsibility requiring national leadership with a cooperative approach across sectors and jurisdictions.
  • The public health system focuses on population health and complements the health care system.
  • Communicable and non-communicable disease and injury are effectively addressed by public health approaches and must be considered together for a healthy population.
  • Public health activities can reduce pressures on the health care system.
  • Funding to public health is an essential and strategic investment for Canadians and the economy.
  • Canada requires immediate and sustained action and investment in public health in order to protect, promote, and preserve the health of all people living in Canada.

Achievements

  • CCPH21 Advocated for
    • The establishment and funding of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
    • The development of a National Immunization Strategy.
    • The establishment and funding of specialized schools of public health.
  • Prepared and distributed Public Health Fast Facts to create public awareness around important public health issues.
  • Prepared and submitted the Coalition’s opinion on federal investment in public health to the Standing Committee on Finance.
  • Prepared and distributed to all federal election candidates a background paper urging the federal government to adopt a sustainable vision of and support for public health.

[1] Front line denotes mental health care provided directly to a patient but which is not necessarily or limited to primary care.