Seen & Heard: Healthtech Innovator Exchange in Toronto

On June 24, the Council of Canadian Innovators, in partnership with McCarthy Tétrault LLP, hosted an Innovator Exchange in Toronto exploring how public procurement and data can strengthen Canada's health care system while creating greater opportunities for Canadian health technology companies to grow.

The discussion brought together health technology leaders, policymakers, clinicians, and government stakeholders to examine how governments can better use public buying power to improve patient outcomes, modernize health care delivery, and support the growth of Canadian innovators.

Opening remarks from CCI Chief Executive Officer Patrick Searle, Dr. Andy Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and Dana Siddle, Partner, Technology, at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, emphasized that improving health care delivery and strengthening Canada's innovation economy are closely connected. Throughout the morning, speakers returned to a common theme: Canadian innovators are already developing solutions that can improve care, but governments must create the conditions for those solutions to be adopted and scaled.

The panel discussion, moderated by CCI Vice-President of Policy and Advocacy Laurent Carbonneau, explored how procurement reform, responsible data governance, and stronger collaboration between innovators and health care providers can help build a more modern, connected health system. The discussion featured Purya Sarmadi, Chief Executive Officer of MedMe Health, Iain Paterson, Chief Information Security Officer at WELL Health Technologies Corp., and John Sinclair, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novari Health.

Here is what we heard from leaders in the room:

Purya Sarmadi emphasized that Canada's challenge is not a lack of innovation, but a lack of pathways for innovators to become partners to the public health system.

"Canadian entrepreneurs are building technologies that improve access to care, reduce administrative burden, and give clinicians more time with patients. What many companies struggle to find is their first opportunity to work with the public system. Procurement should be about solving problems, not navigating process. If we create better pathways for innovators to demonstrate value, we'll improve care while helping Canadian companies scale."

Iain Paterson discussed the importance of treating health data as a strategic asset while maintaining the highest standards of security and privacy.

"Health data has enormous potential to improve decision-making, strengthen patient outcomes, and make the health system more efficient. Unlocking that value depends on trust. We need governance frameworks that protect sensitive information while allowing organizations to use data responsibly to improve care. Security, Privacy and Consent shouldn't be viewed as a barrier to innovation. It should be what enables innovation to succeed."

John Sinclair spoke about the opportunity to modernize procurement by focusing on outcomes instead of legacy purchasing models.

"Health care systems don't need technology for technology's sake. They need partners that can solve real operational challenges and deliver measurable improvements for patients and providers. Procurement should reward innovation that delivers results, creating opportunities for Canadian companies to grow while giving health organizations the flexibility to adopt better solutions."

The discussion reinforced that Canada already has the companies, talent, and technology needed to strengthen health care delivery. Realizing that opportunity will require procurement systems that are more responsive to innovation, better stewardship of public data, and stronger collaboration between governments, health care providers, and Canadian companies developing solutions for the future of care.

This Innovator Exchange was made possible through the support of McCarthy Tétrault LLP. Special thanks to Patrick Searle, Dr. Andy Smith, Dana Siddle, Laurent Carbonneau, Purya Sarmadi, Iain Paterson, John Sinclair, and everyone who contributed to the discussion.

About the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI)

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is Canada's business council for the 21st century economy. We are a collective of over 175 of Canada's fastest-growing and most ambitious companies, and the founders, CEOs, and executives behind them, working together to improve the business conditions that help more homegrown companies scale, compete globally, and drive long-term prosperity.