Vision and mission
Founded in 1910, the Canadian Public Health Association is the independent voice for public health in Canada with links to the international community. As the only Canadian non-governmental organization focused exclusively on public health, we are uniquely positioned to advise decision-makers about public health system reform and to guide initiatives to help safeguard the personal and community health of Canadians and people around the world. Our members believe in universal and equitable access to the basic conditions that are necessary to achieve health for all.
CPHA is the independent national voice and trusted advocate for public health, speaking up for people and populations to all levels of government. We champion health equity, social justice and evidence-informed decision-making. We leverage knowledge, identify and address emerging public health issues, and connect diverse communities of practice. We promote the public health perspective and evidence to government leaders and policy-makers. We are a catalyst for change that improves health and well-being for all.
Our Vision
Healthy people and communities thriving in inclusive, equitable, sustainable environments
Our Mission
To enhance the health and well-being of all people and communities in Canada, particularly those who face structural disadvantage, and to contribute to a healthier and more equitable world
VALUES
As Canada’s independent voice for public health, CPHA is grounded in a set of core values that guide our work, shape our relationships, and reflect our commitments to the people and communities we serve. These values express who we are, what we stand for, and how we act—within our organization and across the broader public health system:
- Respect and Cultural Humility
- Equity and Social Justice
- Collaboration and Solidarity
- Courage and Accountability
- Environmental Stewardship
They are not just words. They are the foundation for our decisions, our partnerships, and our advocacy. They reflect our belief in equity, justice, and the common good—and our responsibility to uphold these principles in pursuit of a healthier, more sustainable, and more compassionate world.
Respect and Cultural Humility
- We recognize that authentic public health practice is rooted in respect for all people, communities, and the natural world.
- We understand cultural humility as a lifelong process of critical self-reflection, openness, and learning — recognizing the limits of our own knowledge, privilege, and authority.
- We uphold dignity and mutual respect in all our relationships, act with humility, and build relationships that honour Indigenous rights, diverse worldviews, and shared accountability.
- We affirm the inherent rights, knowledge systems, and leadership of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, and commit to advancing Truth and Reconciliation through meaningful and sustained action.
Equity and Social Justice
- We recognize that systemic racism, along with colonialism, poverty, ableism, and other forms of structural injustice, is a root cause of health inequities and must be actively confronted and dismantled.
- We understand equity as a condition in which everyone can achieve their full potential for health and well-being, free from discrimination, marginalization and disadvantage.
- We define social justice as the active pursuit of fairness, dignity, and human rights for all people.
- We strive to apply a health equity lens to all our work, and take action to dismantle racism, eliminate structural barriers, and advance justice for all.
Collaboration and Solidarity
- We believe that public health is rooted in relationships, and that collaboration strengthens our ability to address complex challenges.
- We engage people, communities, and organizations intentionally, inclusively, and respectfully to achieve shared goals.
- We value diverse knowledge systems, lived experiences, and cultural perspectives as essential to equity and impact.
- We build trust, share power, and act in solidarity across sectors, disciplines, and communities.
Courage and Accountability
- We lead with courage, confronting injustice, mis- and disinformation, and systems of harm.
- We act with integrity by aligning our decisions with our values, evidence, and ethics.
- We remain transparent and accountable to our members, partners, and the public.
- We welcome dialogue, invite critique, and use what we learn to strengthen our work.
Environmental Stewardship
- We recognize that human health is inseparable from the health of the planet.
- We affirm that Indigenous knowledge systems are foundational to human and ecosystem health.
- We view environmental stewardship as a shared responsibility to protect and sustain the ecosystems that support life.
- We embrace a planetary health approach that links environmental, social, and economic well-being.
- We embed environmental responsibility into our work to advance climate and health justice for current and future generations.
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