Health Emergency Readiness Canada (HERC) is a special operating agency within Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED). Its focus is to drive innovation and boost Canada's industrial capacity to advance leading-edge technologies and support the growth of the life sciences sector in Canada.
HERC works closely with federal partners, including Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, to support the development and production of key medical countermeasures (MCMs) to protect Canadians in the event of a health emergency.
Services and information
About HERC
Learn about our mandate, mission, key partners and the benefits of investing in MCM readiness.
Life Sciences Fund
Learn about HERC's funding program for life sciences projects.
Biomanufacturing in Canada
Learn about Canada's biomanufacturing and life sciences industry and its history.
Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy
A 5-pillar strategy to strengthen Canada's biomanufacturing and life sciences sector.
Council of expert advisors
Canada's foremost advisory body on revitalizing the biomanufacturing and life sciences sector.
Current projects
See how we are investing in biomanufacturing research projects across Canada.
Partner funding
See which government agencies offer funding to support academic research and grow Canada's biomanufacturing and life sciences industry.
Innovation symposium
Bringing together leaders and key players in the life sciences and biomanufacturing ecosystem in Canada.
Publications
Read reports and summaries from HERC.
Latest news
EU and Canada strengthen cooperation on preparedness and response to cross border health threats (European Commission)
[June 24, 2025]
Investing to strengthen biomanufacturing in Canada – STEMCELL Technologies Canada Inc.
[March 19, 2025]
Strengthening biomanufacturing by investing to increase manufacturing capacity of sterile injectables in Canada – Delpharm Boucherville Canada Inc.
[March 18, 2025]
Supporting biomanufacturing capacity to advance next generation medicines – Entos Pharmaceuticals
[March 11, 2025]
Canada Launches Health Emergency Readiness Canada as a new special operating agency to strengthen preparedness for future health emergencies
[September 24, 2024]
Contact us
Your questions and comments are important to us. Please contact Health Emergency Readiness Canada through one of the methods listed below.
Phone
Telephone (toll-free in Canada): 1-800-328-6189
Telephone (Ottawa): 613-954-5031
Fax: 343-291-1913
TTY (for hearing impaired): 1-866-694-8389
Business hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Mailing address
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
C.D. Howe Building
235 Queen St, 4th Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0H5
Canada
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Telephone: 343-291-1777
Email: ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca