2024-25 Annual report

Leadership message

Transforming data, research, opportunity and knowledge into action defined the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer’s (CPAC) work with partners in 2024–25.

This year’s annual report showcases the breadth and impact of these efforts across the country. Guided by the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (the Strategy) and rooted in equity and reconciliation, we drove meaningful progress across the cancer continuum: from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and palliative care.

Midway through this decade, Canada has seen enormous shifts, including the lasting effects of a global pandemic. Through it all, cancer remains one of our most pressing health challenges, with 247,100 people estimated to have been diagnosed in 2024 – up from 239,000 in 2023 due to our growing and aging population. In spite of this striking statistic, our work with partners is having real impact: supporting decision-makers, empowering care providers, and, most importantly, improving outcomes for patients.

We are moving closer to the goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040 by expanding access to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent it and shifting from Pap testing to HPV testing for cervical screening.

Earlier detection of cancer remained a priority. With CPAC’s support, all provinces advanced lung screening implementation and released updated environmental scans for lung, cervical, breast and colorectal screening programs to guide ongoing improvement.

The economic impact of cancer continued to be one of the most important conversations of the past year. CPAC was pleased to collaborate with the Canadian Cancer Society on their special report on this issue to shine a light on the profound financial burden cancer places on patients, caregivers and the healthcare system.

Our commitment to a stronger and more sustainable healthcare system was reflected in our investment in the pan-Canadian Cancer Data Strategy. By implementing a modernized and streamlined data strategy, we can help advance equity, leverage technology like AI responsibly, and improve access to actionable data for smarter health planning and policy.

Reconciliation remains central to CPAC’s mission. We worked closely with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners to launch 32 new implementation projects focused on self-determined priorities: from culturally safe care closer to home, to equitable palliative supports, and First Nations-, Inuit- and Métis-led research and data systems.

Equity served not only as a guiding principle, but as the foundation for diverse and tangible actions. We strengthened our organizational leadership capacity by implementing the Board’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Learning and Development Plan. To ensure our work remains person-centred, we actively engaged a wide range of patient and caregiver voices, and renamed the Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisor program to better reflect the importance of caregiving relationships. We also embedded equity-focused measurement across our initiatives – as of March 2025, 100 per cent of our 51 funded partner projects now include equity metrics. From this work, the Canadian Association of Provincial Cancer Agencies (CAPCA) will be collecting pan-Canadian input on equity considerations to help optimize health workforce planning.

CPAC’s investments are delivering real and lasting value to Canada’s cancer system. Our 130+ funding agreements spanned all 13 provinces and territories, bringing together a growing network of partners to move the Strategy into action. Together, we’re maximizing investments, aligning efforts and improving outcomes system-wide.

We invite you to learn about the initiatives highlighted above, and others, in this annual report.

Strong leadership from partners, advisors and our Board of Directors is foundational to achieving the Strategy’s vision. It is with great pleasure that we welcome incoming Board chair Dr. Darren Larsen. Since joining CPAC’s Board of Directors in 2019, Dr. Larsen has brought passion and enthusiasm in support of the Strategy’s goals: to reduce cancer’s impact, save lives, and ensure everyone in Canada has access to equitable, high-quality cancer care. We look forward to achieving these goals in partnership with the new federal government.

In Canada, no cancer journey is walked alone.

It takes a network of helpers, healers, champions and companions to support each step. We are proud and honoured to walk that path together with you.

Jeff Zweig, Chair
Dr. Craig Earle, Chief Executive Officer