Engaging Stakeholders to Inform Policy: Unlocking Responsible Health Data Access for Innovation in Ontario

Ontario's health system holds one of the richest and most diverse datasets in the world, yet barriers to access and fragmented governance limit its potential to drive innovation and improve outcomes. This project explores how Ontario can responsibly navigate health data privatization to support research and private-sector collaboration while maintaining public trust. The project engages key stakeholders to identify enablers and risks in developing a unified framework for responsible data access. Grounded in the foundational principles of the Ontario Health Data Council, the work examines current data-sharing pathways, legal constraints under PHIPA, governance gaps, and comparative international models such as the UK's Trusted Research Environments and Finland's Findata authority. The project aims to produce actionable recommendations for a policy framework that balances innovation with ethical stewardship, enabling privacy-protected access to data that advances patient care, population health, and economic growth. Through this research, Ontario's health data can be responsibly unlocked to foster public-private partnerships, accelerate discovery, and strengthen its position as a leader in digital health and life sciences.