Press Release

Investing in precision oncology research to enhance equitable access across Canada

Abstract Canada network map

 

September 24, 2026 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada 

A cancer diagnosis comes with a lot of fear and uncertainty. Too many Canadians continue to experience this daily. Thanks to promising developments in cancer prevention, research, and treatment Canadians are experiencing improved health outcomes for certain cancers, including lower incidence and mortality rates.  

Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced an $80 million investment, over four years, to the Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) for its work in precision oncology research. Precision oncology is an approach to cancer care that helps doctors determine a more personalized treatment for patients based on the genetic and biological makeup of cancer cells. This personalized approach reduces harmful side effects, including reducing damage to healthy cells, and makes the treatment more likely to work. 

Over the past six years, the TFRI established the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, a network of institutions working toward a national strategy for precision oncology research. The Network and the TFRI created a data repository with the genome sequences of cancerous tumors from over 16,000 patients. This data will help inform research into why some people respond to cancer treatments while others do not, which in turn could help us find better treatments for patients. Investments by the Government of Canada in this area will continue to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Network and the TFRI, reflecting a shared and sustained commitment.  

Through this investment, the Government of Canada is reaffirming its commitment with the G7 to accelerate the fight against cancer and to strengthen our actions to advance cancer research.  

Quotes 

"Canada has been at the forefront of the fight against cancer for decades. This collaboration between Canadian cancer centres in research and treatment, led by the Terry Fox Research Institute, is promising and inspiring. Hard work is paying off, and we need to keep putting our resources into fighting this disease." 

The Honourable Marjorie Michel

Minister of Health

"Many of us have been impacted by cancer in our lives. Cancer research, such as the work being done by the Terry Fox Research Institute, is a crucial part of our efforts to find better, more effective treatments for patients. Together with the TFRI, we are working toward better treatment and improved survival rates for people with cancer.” 

The Honourable Mona Fortier 

Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Vanier—Gloucester 

“We are deeply grateful to the Government of Canada and fellow Canadians for continuing to trust and invest in Terry Fox’s bold vision. This new funding is designed to build upon our national strategy to accelerate discoveries and bring more personalized cancer care to patients across the country—no matter who they are or where they live.” 

Jim Woodgett 

President and Scientific Director, Terry Fox Research Institute 

“Back in 2019, we said the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network represented an opportunity worthy of Terry’s name. Today, this renewed investment is a powerful affirmation of what has been built: researchers, clinicians, patients, and institutions across Canada working together toward a shared goal. Terry said the Marathon of Hope must continue without him. He would be incredibly proud to see Canadians continuing his marathon in this collaborative and determined way, and to see the progress being made toward better outcomes for people with cancer.” 

Darrell Fox, on behalf of the Fox family 

Senior Advisor, Marathon of Hope Cancer Centre Network, Terry Fox Research Institute 

Quick Facts 

Budget 2025 committed $80 million over four years, beginning in 2026-27, for the TFRI to implement Phase 2 of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network. 

  • Moving forward, the Network and the TFRI will add 11,000 new cases and strengthen the systems needed to generate, analyze, and return genomic results to inform care.  

  • In addition, the TFRI will onboard new cancer institutions to the Network, including from the territories. The TFRI is also working to offer genetic testing for family members when it is determined a patient has a type of cancer that can be inherited. 

  • Phase 2 of the Network will strengthen and expand pan-Canadian collaboration in precision oncology by supporting real-time clinical genomic data generation, workforce capacity, and equitable access to advanced cancer care across jurisdictions. 

  • TFRI and participating institutions will match Health Canada’s $80 million investment. As a result, this investment unlocks a total of $160 million in funding for precision oncology research through the Network.  

Associated Links 

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Contacts 

Alexandre Bergeron 
Press Secretary 
Office of the Minister of Health 
alexandre.bergeron@hc-sc.gc.c

Media Relations 
Public Health Agency of Canada 
613-957-2983 
media@hc-sc.gc.ca