Every Canadian deserves equitable access to eye care.
The Vision Health Partners' Coalition is working to ensure you do.
About the Vision Health Partners' Coalition
The Vision Health Partners’ Coalition (VHPC) is a group of not-for-profit organizations working together to improve vision care across Canada. We advocate for policy change, raise public awareness, and support research and education that help Canadians protect and manage their eye health.
We believe everyone in Canada—no matter where they live or their income or background—should have access to affordable, high-quality eye care. Good vision care helps people stay independent, continue working, and fully participate in everyday life.
That is why VHPC is proud to support Health Canada in developing a National Strategy for Eye Care. Together, coalition members have created a shared set of recommendations to help guide the strategy and strengthen eye care for people across the country.
The Landscape of Eye Care Across Canada
Vision health is a critical yet under-recognized public health issue in Canada, with over 2.2 million Canadians living with vision impairment and millions more at risk. The economic burden is substantial - estimated at $32.9 billion annually - driven by health care costs, productivity losses, and broader social impacts.
Despite this, Canada’s vision health system remains fragmented, inequitable, and insufficiently integrated into broader health policy frameworks. The Vision Health Partners' Coalition (VHPC), representing a unified national voice across the vision health sector, presents a set of evidence-based, consensus-driven recommendations to guide the federal government’s National Strategy for Eye Care.
Although the path forward is complex, establishing national leadership and accountability is critical, to move forward and improve equitable access, integrate care systems, strengthen data and research capacity, and elevate public awareness.
Together, these actions will position Canada as a global leader in vision health while improving outcomes and reducing long-term system costs.
Building a National Eye Care Program
Canada has a critical opportunity to transform its approach to vision health. The National Strategy for Eye Care can serve as a cornerstone for a more equitable, integrated, and sustainable system.
The Vision Health Partners' Coalition brings together national expertise, lived experience, and sector-wide consensus. Our recommendations are practical, evidence-based, and aligned with federal priorities.
By acting now, the federal government can:
- Improve health outcomes for millions of Canadians
- Reduce long-term economic burden
- Position Canada as a global leader in vision health policy and innovation
A coordinated, well-resourced national strategy is not only necessary—it is achievable.
The question we should be asking ourselves is:
What is the cost of not doing this?
Stories from the Field
Coming Soon: Stories shared by those with lived-experience along their eyecare journeys, along with the thoughts and experiences of the many eye health professions providing service to Canadians everywhere.
In the meantime, have a look at these eye health resources.
- COS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
June 18 – 21, 2026
Montréal, Québe | #COS2026 - World Sight Day
October 8, 2026 | #LoveYourEyes - Global Summit for Eye Health
November 2, 2026
St John's, Antigua| #GlobalSummitforEyeHealth
VHPC Member Organizations
We believe everyone in Canada—no matter where they live or their income or background—should have access to affordable, high-quality eye care.
