Greetings
Dear Colleagues,
A December Newsletter is always the perfect time to reflect upon the year coming to a close with its accomplishments and challenges, and the new year upon us with its set of opportunities and issues to tackle. It has been an intense year of work for the Canadian Primary Care Research Consortium’s (CPCRC) Interim Advisory Board and Transition Team, meeting deadlines and navigating concerns, as we work to launch the Consortium.
Embarking on a co-building journey gave us the chance to gather online throughout the year, across different forums and networks, which is always gratifying. More recently, we hosted our in-person Learning Cycle in Winnipeg, in advance of FMF, which brought together leaders and innovators in primary care research to discuss the future of our organization and how it can best serve you, the primary care research community, and the public. We are grateful for all the ideas that were shared, which will facilitate our collective work and thank you for your time and energy.
Please take the time to review this newsletter which holds some important updates and spotlights. Do not hesitate to reach out should you have ideas or suggestions concerning CPCRC developments and initiatives. We value and need your support as we endeavor to build a stronger future for primary care research in Canada.
We wish you a joyful and restful festive season.
-CPCRC Executive Team
Organizational Updates
CPCRC Learning Cycle
On November 4th, 2025, leaders and advocates in primary care research gathered in Winnipeg for the CPCRC Learning Cycle to discuss the future of our organization and the role it might play in the primary care research community. The event was facilitated by Yvonne Bridges, a consultant with extensive experience building strong governance structures in not-for profit organizations, which CPCRC is striving to become. An Indigenous elder grounded us into the day before we began reflecting on the years of work that have led to the development of the CPCRC. Representatives from all the related networks – the Canadian Primary Care Research Network (CPCRN), the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN), and the Canadian Primary Care Trials Network (CPCTN) – shared their perspectives on how we have been able to move towards a consortium. People with lived experience took part in all deliberations. We also took the time to unpack our values, and discuss the different workstreams we hope to see implemented (see Thematic Analysis for context), and how the CPCRC might best be governed. We will be sharing next steps, based on feedback and recommended priorities in the new year.
Chair – CPCRC Board of Directors
We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Onil Bhattacharyya as the inaugural Board of Directors Chair of the CPCRC (read more here). Dr. Bhattacharyya intends to foster a culture of excitement, mutual respect, and practical action – ensuring that CPCRC becomes a home for primary care research and makes a real difference for people and communities across Canada.
Community Updates
CPCRN 2025 Patient Engagement Award
The CPCRC would like to congratulate Stephen Wolinsky for receiving the 2025 Engagement Award from the Canadian Primary Care Research Network (CPCRN). The Engagement Award recognizes the exceptional contributions of an engaged patient, community member or clinician. As Co-Chair of the CPCRN Patient Council, Steve has participated as a facilitator, innovator and leader. His resilience and dedication, along with his wisdom, have helped to change the role of the patient in patient-oriented research and embrace relational equity. He embodies the spirit of engagement and partnership that the CPCRN Engagement Award aims to honor. Read more here.
CPCRN 2025 Mentor Award
The CPCRC would like to congratulate Dr. Catherine Hudon for receiving the 2025 Mentor Award from the Canadian Primary Care Research Network (CPCRN). This award recognizes outstanding mentorship within the CPCRN. Professor Hudon embodies a vision of mentorship grounded in trust, the development of autonomy, and a strong sensitivity to inclusion and equity toward her mentees. Her mentorship also extends beyond institutional boundaries through her leadership roles at both national (CPCRN) and international (Groupe francophone international de soins primaires) levels. She plays a pivotal role in knowledge mobilization and interprovincial and international collaboration, reinforcing her status as an influential and inspiring mentor in primary care research in Canada. Read more here.
EDI Investigative Report Open Letter
A motion was passed on October 1st 2025, at the Standing Committee on Science and Research (SCSR) of the House of Commons, to compel CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC to release disaggregated data from all student and faculty funding applications (2020-2025), including applicants’ responses to the EDI questionnaire, as well as reviewer identities, comments, and scores. This motion has raised serious concerns across the academic community regarding privacy, confidentiality, and the integrity of the peer-review process. Please take a moment to review an Open Letter which over 5000 academics have signed. We believe this kind of issue is something central to the advocacy that CPCRC can do—issues that align with our stated values. We are sharing this letter because we are saying this open letter is relevant to our work and is an example of advocacy. You, as an individual may choose to sign/not sign the letter according to your individual values.
OurHealthData
OurHealthData is a new public movement which brings together Canadians to help shape how health data is used by increasing awareness and bringing public voices to the fore. They are seeking members of the public now – ahead of new legislation – to get involved. Please contact Corinne (macorinneira.claudio@unityhealth.to) to join this movement!
Patient Council Spotlight
Reflections on our Time in Winnipeg
“The Patient Council was invited to Winnipeg to inform discussions on the development of the CPCRC. Arriving the day prior, we arranged to have our evening meal together. Being present in the room in person gave us an informal opportunity to continue to co-create trust and trusting relationships. Each one of us is engaged in what we refer to as our work in primary care and primary care research. Our passion for transforming primary care gives us strength and courage. We seek to apply values of trust, kindness, respect, and humility in the work that we do. We felt it was important for us to be heard at the Learning Cycle. We see ourselves as collaborators with diverse expertise and knowledge that are complementary to the scientific knowledge of leaders and members of the CPCRC. Not only do we support the Consortium, but we feel we are an integral part of it, involved in meetings, research, trials, and even writing. Our work over the past year includes developing a Conflict of Interest for Persons with Lived Experience. Most of us have also completed the TCPS2 CORE. We hope to see the Patient Council and the Consortium evolve through principles of equity, diversity and inclusion to better meet the primary care needs of all Canadians.”
Research Spotlight: Our FMF Poster Presentations
CPCRC Building Together
CPCRC had a poster presentation on Nov 5th at FMF describing the developmental evaluation approach guided by participatory and equity-oriented principles that were used to assess CPCRC’s structural evolution and activities. CPCRC highlighted the process of building, supporting and sustaining research and training as well as early impacts of the CPCRC across Canada.
PaRIS OECD Project
The PaRIS Saskatchewan Research team presented their OECD Patient-Reported Indicator Surveys (PaRIS) project at FMF on Nov 6, 2025. Their poster, “Strengthening Relationships in Primary Care: Reflections from the Evaluation of OECD PaRIS Dashboards,” highlighted a participatory approach to survey implementation that strengthened authentic engagement and enhanced data quality, relevance, and use. Early, inclusive, and trust-based engagement supported strong clinic participation, fostered a shared sense of ownership of the data, and increased willingness to use findings for local reflection and practice improvement.
SPIDER Project
SPIDER (Structured Process Informed by Data, Evidence and Research) presented at the FMF describing lessons learned from managing a large national primary care practice-based randomized controlled trial. SPIDER outlined essential recommendations for successful projects in primary care practices and teams. On Nov 7th, 2025, the SPIDER poster presentation described the SPIDER framework outlining eight essential recommendations for successful project teams. On Nov 8th, 2025, Dr. Singer described lessons learned in supporting a national research and quality improvement collaborative focused on highlighting successes, challenges and adaptation to support implementation of the SPIDER intervention. Read more here
SPARK Project
On Nov 7th, 2025, SPARK (Screening for Poverty And Related Social Determinants and Intervening to Improve Knowledge of and Links to Resources) presented a poster at FMF. This poster presentation aimed to promote Deep End Canada as a network to support sustainable spread of the SPARK Tool to collect social and demographic needs in primary health care as well as to facilitate community engagement and pan-Canadian clinical collaboration related to data and health inequities.
Francophone Arm Spotlight
Save the Date
June 3, 2026: Early Career Day at Université de Montréal. (Free)
June 5, 2026: 8th GFISP Symposium will take place at the Longueil Campus of Université de Sherbrooke. There is no fee. There will be keynotes, international round table, interactive workshops and a networking cocktail. Please use the QR code at left to indicate interest in participation. All activities in French.
Building Capacity Spotlight
HDRN Canada Pragmatic Trials Training Program
Explore the world of pragmatic clinical trials. Each week, the program releases open-access learning modules that delve into key aspects of trial design and implementation—from randomization and data analysis to truth and reconciliation in pragmatic trials, statistics, ethics and more Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or health professional, these modules offer practical insights to strengthen your understanding of how trials can improve real-world care. Discover the series here.
POR-Mitacs Fellowships
PASSERELLE and Mitacs invite undergraduate, college and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows from all disciplines to participate in this 3rd edition of the Patient-Oriented Research (POR)-Mitacs Fellowship. Deadline to apply: February 13th, 2026. Learn more here.
TUTOR-PHC 2026 – Call for Applications
TUTOR-PHC is currently recruiting for their 2026-2027 cohort. Applications are open to graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, early and mid-career clinicians, and decision makers in primary health care. Learn more here.
Webinars
Using Provincial Administrative Health Data to Support Canadian Veterans
- Hosted by HDRN
- December 17, 2025 at 1 pm EST
Conferences
CHSPR 2026 38th Annual Health Policy Conference
- The Quintuple Aim: Can’t Get There from Here
- Hosted by Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, UBC
- March 12-13, 2026 in Vancouver, BC at UBC Campus (In-person & Virtual)
- Register here
- Abstracts due: December 18, 2025
Destination Recherche Innovation Monfort (Francophone Conference)
- Hosted by Savoir Monfort
- February 12, 2026 in Ottawa, ON at Institut Monfort (In-person)
- Apply here
- Abstracts due: December 20, 2025
BRIC NS 2026 Primary Care Research Day
- From Clicks to Care: Strengthening the Digital Foundations of Primary Care
- Hosted by Building Research for Integrated Primary Care NS
- May 4th, 2026 in Halifax, NS at Dalhousie University (In-person)
- Apply here
- Abstracts due: February 9th, 2026
Putting Patients First Conference 2026
- Hosted by Health Research BC
- March 3, 2026 in Vancouver, BC (In-person & Virtual)
- Register here
Congrès de l’ACFAS (Francophone Conference)
- Hosted by l’Association canadienne-française pour l’avancement des sciences
- May 11-15, 2026 at l’Université du Québec, Trois Rivières
- Details here
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