RareKids-CAN, Canada’s pediatric rare disease clinical trials and treatment network funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, supports Bill C-265 which improves access pathways for medical therapies not commercially available in Canada. Introduced by Dr. Marcus Powlowski, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay – Rainy River, Bill C-265 moves to second reading in Parliament this week.

RareKids-CAN sponsored a dedicated cohort of learners in CanChild McMaster University’s  Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course.

In this Q&A, Busisiwe Zapparoli shares how her background in clinical–developmental psychology and neuropsychology led her to pursue a clinician-scientist path grounded in real-world impact.

In this Q&A, Wallace Wee shares his journey from engineering to medicine and clinical epidemiology, and how that unique path has shaped his approach to pediatric respiratory research.

On February 28th, the RareKids-CAN community came together in a powerful show of collaboration and progress to celebrate Rare Disease Day 2026.

For families affected by rare diseases, the path to answers is seldom straightforward. Diagnosis can take years, treatments are often limited, and navigating healthcare systems can be overwhelming.  

The Canadian National Mirror Group continues to play an important role in connecting Canada’s rare disease ecosystem with global initiatives

RareKids-CAN Network Director Breanne Stewart and Nominated Principal Investigator Dr. Thierry Lacaze recently presented at the ACCESS Annual Meeting in Toronto on March 10-11th, 2026.

The legislation is the culmination of months of collaborative work led by the RareKids-CAN network and the Child Health Policy Accelerator at The Hospital for Sick Children, with contributions from RareKids-CAN representatives and patient advocates from across the country.

Many First Nations communities face a disproportionate demand for specialized rare disease care and early identification is essential for timely treatment and life planning.