How Canada can Prepare for Future Epidemics and Pandemics

The United Nations marks International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on 27 December, a day that arrives quietly on the calendar but points to an enduring public responsibility. Public health experts define an epidemic as a sudden surge in disease cases within a specific community or region, and a pandemic as an epidemic that has spread across multiple countries or continents. These definitions shape our approach: local outbreaks demand rapid containment, while global spread requires coordinated international action, data sharing and resilient supply chains. Strengthening both local and global defences directly supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

At the United Nations Association in Canada Toronto Region Branch (UNACTO), this day is an opportunity to explore how Canada can strengthen readiness, resilience and equity in public health.

Lessons in epidemic preparedness

Canada’s public health institutions have been shaped by lessons from past outbreaks. For example, the cholera epidemics of the 19th century led to new water and sanitation systems. Smallpox outbreaks drove vaccination programmes and quarantine measures. Later, the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic exposed major gaps in coordination and preparedness. Detailed historical accounts show how these crises accelerated improvements in health governance and community-based prevention. Together, these experiences remind us that epidemic preparedness is not static—it must adapt as new pathogens, social conditions and technologies emerge.

Building public health resilience

At the core of modern epidemic preparedness is the One Health approach, which recognizes that human, animal and environmental health are deeply interconnected. Making it work in practice requires breaking down silos across sectors, with coordinated surveillance, joint training and data sharing.

Urban nature and biodiversity are also part of prevention and resilience—greenspaces influence mental health, heat mitigation and vector ecology. Research from the Smart Prosperity Institute points to the added benefits of nature-based solutions, including healthier cities and the potential to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. Linking these efforts strengthens local health outcomes (SDG 3) and fosters partnerships among municipalities, researchers and civil society (SDG 17).

That said, the One Health approach cannot succeed without centring equity. Communities facing barriers, including Indigenous peoples, racialised groups, low-income households and people in precarious work, often experience higher exposure and worse outcomes. Improving access to primary care, providing culturally safe services, collecting disaggregated data and protecting essential workers are strategies that reduce transmission and save lives during surges. These actions are not only ethical but also improve public health outcomes for everyone and align with Canada’s pandemic guidance and research priorities.

Insights from COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic put Canada’s public health system to the test, prompting a rapid and coordinated response. Across the country, vaccination programmes, non-pharmaceutical interventions, public health guidance and economic supports were mobilised on an unprecedented scale. Despite best efforts, early reporting highlighted gaps in surveillance, border screening and stockpile readiness.

Since then, analysts and policymakers have proposed reforms to legislation, stockpile management and intergovernmental coordination, turning these lessons into concrete measures to strengthen pandemic preparedness in Canada. In addition, the Public Health Agency of Canada has continued to collect and analyse epidemiological and economic data, providing ongoing insight to guide public health decisions.

A shared responsibility

The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is more than a moment of reflection; it is a reminder that building resilient, equitable public health systems protects everyone. Canada’s path forward must integrate lessons from history, the One Health approach and a stronger focus on equity into coordinated national and provincial strategies. By aligning national investments to SDGs 3 and 17 and embracing One Health, the country can face future epidemics and pandemics with foresight, solidarity and collective responsibility.

Edited by Aleksandar Cimeša

Image credit: Drazen Zigic