Colorectal screening in Canada, 2026

Provincial and territorial screening parameters

All provinces and territories recommend screening asymptomatic, average-risk individuals with a fecal test. All jurisdictions use the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), and Quebec uses both FIT tests and colonoscopies. Most jurisdictions screen individuals between the ages of 50 and 74 with a screening interval of one to two years.

Several jurisdictions across Canada are considering lowering the start age for biennial FIT screening, due to rising rates of colorectal cancer in younger people. Projections show that lowering the CRC screening start age may reduce cases, deaths, and costs to the healthcare system. In 2026, PEI and Ontario became the first provinces to lower the start age for colorectal cancer screening to 45.

Provincial and territorial screening parameters

P/T Age eligibility Routine screening interval Primary screening test Criteria
YT 50-74 2 years FIT Asymptomatic, average risk individuals
NT 50-74 2 years FIT Based on clinical practice guideline

No personal or family history of colorectal cancer OR first degree relatives with any non-advanced adenoma, second degree relatives with colorectal or advanced adenoma
NU 50-74 2 years FIT Asymptomatic, average risk individuals
BC 50-74 2 years FIT Asymptomatic, average risk individuals
AB 50-74 1-2 years FIT Asymptomatic, average risk individuals
SK 50-74 2 years FIT Asymptomatic, average risk individuals
MB 50-74 2 years FIT Asymptomatic, average risk individuals*
ON 45-74 (as of July 1, 2026) 2 years FIT* Asymptomatic, average risk individuals without a parent, sibling, or child diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

  • no personal history of colorectal cancer, pre-cancerous colorectal polyps needing surveillance, Crohn’s disease involving the colon or ulcerative colitis, and
  • no first-degree relatives (parents, siblings or children) diagnosed with colorectal cancer, or
  • any of the following types of family history:
    • only 1 first-degree relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 60 or older
    • one or more first-degree relatives diagnosed with colorectal polyps, including high risk adenomas and polyps of unknown histology
    • one or more second-degree relatives, including grandparents, grandchildren, niblings (e.g., nieces and nephews) and piblings (e.g., aunts and uncles), diagnosed with colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps at any age
QC* 50-74 2 years FIT Asymptomatic, average risk individuals
NB 50-74 2 years FIT Asymptomatic, average risk individuals
NS* 50-74 2 years FIT Asymptomatic, average risk individuals
PE 45-74* 2 years FIT Asymptomatic, average risk individuals
NL 50-74 2 years FIT Asymptomatic, average risk individuals

Data are current as of February 2026, except for Ontario which is current as of May 2026.

Footnotes:
MB: As FIT distribution is being centralized under CancerCare Manitoba, the program will distribute FIT to individuals at increased risk due to family history starting at age 40, and to individuals 75-85 years, both of which are based on healthcare provider request.
ON: In Ontario, people ages 50–74 with no symptoms or family history of colorectal cancer in a first-degree relative may choose to be screened with flexible sigmoidoscopy instead of FIT. It is recommended that eligible people who are screened with flexible sigmoidoscopy repeat the test every 10 years.
ON: People ages 75–85 may also screen with FIT at the PCP’s discretion.
QC: Individuals 40-74 years old who are asymptomatic and are at slightly increased risk are screened every two years using FIT. Individuals 40-74 years old, or 10 years earlier than the youngest relatives age at diagnosis, who are asymptomatic and are at moderately increased risk are screened every five years using colonoscopy.
NS: The last FIT kit is mailed shortly after the participant’s 74th birthday. Participants can request a new kit (if lost or expired) up until their 76th birthday.
PE: In 2026 Health PEI changed the screening start age from 50 to 45.

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