One aim of this article was to inform readers about the organization of the public health system in Canada. Constitutional arrangements are such that provinces and territories are responsible for public health services. Unlike medical and hospital care, however, public health services are not bound by national standards. Consequently, the type and degree of health promotion and preventive services vary by region. Disease surveillance and health protection programs, however, appear to be the most uniform across the country. Another aim of this article was to situate the system against three current issues. The devolution of health care provides an opportunity for the public health community to examine and improve the public health infrastructure. The evidencebased medicine movement has already stimulated the systematic synthesis of public health interventions. The orientation to a global marketplace suggests frontline public health workers must work even harder to ensure local health needs remain heard.

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