Ottawa, ON — The Digital Governance Standards Institute (DGSI) is pleased to announce the publication of the revised edition of CAN/DGSI 116: Health Data and Information – Lexicon, a National Standard of Canada.
This updated version strengthens Canada’s foundation for health data governance by providing a clear, consistent, and accessible set of terms and definitions for use across the health ecosystem. As health data becomes increasingly central to care delivery, research, and policy, the need for a shared language has never been more critical.
This edition also introduces enhanced clarity on how the standard can be applied across different contexts, along with expanded guidance on key concepts such as consent. These updates ensure that stakeholders, from healthcare providers and policymakers to researchers, industry leaders, and patient communities, can communicate with greater precision and confidence when working with health data.
By establishing a common lexicon, CAN/DGSI 116 helps reduce ambiguity, improve transparency, and support better decision-making. It also plays a key role in advancing data literacy, enabling more effective collaboration, and fostering trust among those who create, manage, and use health data.
Importantly, the standard reflects the Canadian context, recognizing patients as the primary rights holders of their personal health data, while organizations act as custodians or stewards in accordance with applicable laws. This distinction reinforces responsible data practices and supports ethical, people-centered approaches to data governance.
As a foundational reference, this lexicon is designed to support other health data standards and initiatives, including Canada’s broader efforts to improve how health data is used, shared, and governed nationwide. By aligning terminology across sectors, it helps unify national and potentially international efforts to advance health outcomes and system performance.
CAN/DGSI 116 was developed by DGSI Technical Committee 13 on health data and information, bringing together a diverse group of experts and stakeholders to ensure the standard reflects real-world needs and perspectives. The DGSI extends a sincere thank you to all parties involved in the revision of this standard.
You can consult and download the new revised version via CAN/DGSI 116.
About the Digital Governance Standards Institute
The Digital Governance Standards Institute develops digital technology governance standards fit for global use. The Institute works with experts, as well as national and global partners and the public to develop national standards that reduce risk to Canadians and Canadian organizations adopting and using innovative digital technologies in today’s digital economy. The Institute is an independent division of the Digital Governance Council. To learn more about the organization and its initiatives, visit www.dgc-cgn.org or contact info@dgc-cgn.org.