Government of Canada boosts health research in Canada’s North

Press Release

From: Canadian Institutes of Health Research

May 14, 2026 – Yellowknife, Northwest Territories – Canadian Institutes of Health Research

People living in northern and remote communities face unique health challenges shaped by geography, climate and access to services. Strengthening health research grounded in local priorities, lived experience, and Indigenous knowledge is essential to improving health outcomes and advancing health equity across Canada.

Today, the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, announced, on behalf of the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, that the Government of Canada is investing $5.4 million to renew support for patient- and community-driven health research in Northwest Territories and Yukon through March 2028, while highlighting an ongoing investment of $4.8 million that was provided to support a similar research effort in Nunavut from 2024 to 2029.

These investments are provided through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) under Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) as part of an extension of funding for community-oriented research hubs known as SUPPORT Units from coast to coast to coast, with provinces and territories matching CIHR contributions.

This funding enables the SUPPORT Units to offer research and training programs as well as facilitate community engagement in their regions.

In the Northwest Territories, the Hotıì ts’eeda, hosted by the Tłı̨chǫ Government, will continue connecting local communities, organizations, and researchers to advance health and wellness research grounded in Indigenous priorities and knowledge systems.
In Yukon, the Yukon Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research, hosted by Yukon University, will expand the Junior Researcher program, where Indigenous youth work with communities and Elders on projects such as creating stronger pathways to northern health careers.
In Nunavut, the Paqqijamik Naalangniq, hosted by the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre, will continue to mobilize knowledge to inform health policy, practices, programs, and care for Nunavummiut.

Together, these initiatives strengthen research capacity, support Indigenous governance in research, and help mobilize evidence into meaningful action to improve health and wellness in Canada’s North.

Quotes

“Everyone in Canada deserves access to high-quality health care and the opportunity to live a healthy life—no matter where they live. By investing in community-oriented research in the North, we are supporting Indigenous- and community-led solutions that reflect local realities and improve health outcomes for northern communities.”

The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health

“Indigenous Peoples in the North carry generations of knowledge about the health needs and strengths of their communities. This funding recognizes that expertise and places it at the heart of research and innovation, ensuring communities in the NWT, Yukon, and Nunavut are leading the way in shaping care and improving health outcomes for people across the North and all Canadians.”

The Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories

“Communities in the North understand their own health priorities best. Supporting research led by strong local voices, and grounded in Indigenous knowledge is key to building more effective, culturally relevant care and improving health outcomes across the North.”

Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for Yukon

“The health challenges shaped by geography and limited access to services in Nunavut make patient-oriented health research essential. The government’s investments across the North will ensure local priorities, lived experience and knowledge of Nunavummiut continue to contribute to improving patient outcomes.”

Lori Idlout, Member of Parliament for Nunavut

“Research is strongest when it is driven by the people and communities it aims to serve. Through these reinvestments in Yukon and the Northwest Territories and our ongoing investment in Nunavut, CIHR is proud to support research that is rooted in Indigenous leadership, lived experience, and local priorities—helping to generate evidence that leads to real-world impact.”

Dr. Paul Hébert, President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

“We’re thrilled that CIHR has seen the value in what we are doing and decided to extend our funding. Hotıì ts’eeda’s staff and leadership are looking forward to continuing to support health and wellness that really make a difference in the Northwest Territories.”

Dr. John B. Zoe, Chair, Hotıì ts’eeda Governing Council

“Empowering youth to lead health research in their own communities strengthens not only local services and access to care, but also inspires other young people to see what is possible through the leadership of their peers. Built on relationships, trust, reciprocity, and community knowledge that has guided people since time immemorial, this renewed funding for YSPOR will help foster healthier communities and support the next generation of leaders.

Dr. Michelle Leach, Scientific Director, Yukon SPOR SUPPORT Unit

“In Nunavut, meaningful health research must be grounded in Inuit-directed priorities, and guided by the National Inuit Strategy on Research. Through Paqqijamik Naalangniq Nunavut SPOR Unit, we are strengthening capacity in Nunavut to lead and shape health research. Ongoing investments like this help ensure that evidence is not only generated in the North, but also mobilized in ways that meet the needs of Nunavut communities.”

Dr. Amy Caughey, Associate Scientific Director, Paqqijamik Naalangniq Nunavut SPOR SUPPORT Unit

Quick facts

Canada’s SPOR is a pan-Canadian coalition of the federal government, provinces, territories, philanthropic organizations, academic institutions and health charities with the goal of achieving better patient outcomes.
Hotıì ts’eeda, YSPOR, and Paqqijamik Naalangniq play a critical role in advancing Indigenous and community-oriented research in northern, rural, remote, and Indigenous contexts. These investments reflect CIHR’s commitment to advancing Indigenous health research led by and for Indigenous communities.
Hotıì ts’eeda is unique as the only SPOR SUPPORT Unit embedded within an Indigenous government, hosted by the Tłı̨chǫ Government and governed primarily by NWT Indigenous governments.
The 11 SPOR SUPPORT Units across the country provide expertise, tools, training, and infrastructure to help connect researchers, patients, and communities with real-world health system needs.

Associated links

Contacts

Alexandre Bergeron
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marjorie Michel
Minister of Health
alexandre.bergeron@hc-sc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
media@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

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