Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) – an Ontario government agency – drives quality and continuous improvement in disease prevention and screening, the delivery of care and the patient experience, for cancer, chronic kidney disease, as well as access to care for key health services.
Known for its innovation and results-driven approaches, CCO leads multi-year system planning, contracts for services with hospitals and providers, develops and deploys information systems, establishes guidelines and standards, and tracks performance targets to ensure system-wide improvements in cancer, chronic kidney disease – through the Ontario Renal Network – and access to care.
As the government’s cancer advisor, CCO:
While CCO’s public identity is tied directly to the fight against cancer, the organization also established and now houses the new Ontario Renal Network and the Ontario government’s Access to Care program, which supports the Ontario government Wait Times Strategy.
Through the Ontario Renal Network, CCO organizes and manages chronic kidney disease services throughout the province. Access to Care works to ensure that Ontarians receive the healthcare they need, when and where they need it.
Cancer Care Ontario is governed by an act of legislation called The Cancer Act.
As an operational service agency of government, Cancer Care Ontario is accountable to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. The details of Cancer Care Ontario's relationship with the Ministry are laid out in a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Cancer Care Ontario follows the management principles of the Government of Ontario. These principles include ethical behavior, accountability, excellence in management, wise use of public funds, high-quality service to the public and equitable access to high-quality service.
Cancer Care Ontario is authorized by the Personal Health Information Protection Act to collect and use personal health information to carry out its role in planning and managing the cancer system.