The Role and Influence of Federally Established Health Policy Advisory Bodies in Canada

Since the passage of the Canada Health Act (1985), there have been many advisory bodies established by successive federal governments, each tasked with providing advice and making recommendations about where and how to improve the health system. Our analysis of interviews with advisory board members and implementers (e.g., ministry of health leaders, staff and consultants) addresses why participants perceived their advice and recommendations were generally not implemented and informal strategy groups used to facilitate implementation. We recommend that future health system advisory bodies focus on coalition building during policy development, integrate implementation plans into policy recommendations and evaluate the impact of policy recommendations.