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GS1 Canada regularly communicates about key issues, company activities and milestones via news releases, press coverage and publications.

Media Contact

Laural Adams
Senior Manager, Communications, GS1 Canada
Phone : 416-873-5841
Email : Laural.Adams@gs1ca.org

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News

Report finds adoption of barcoding system in Canadian healthcare can save billions annually while supporting patient safety

TORONTO, Nov. 27, 2025 — A new report prepared by Deloitte Canada and commissioned by GS1 Canada finds that the lack of nationwide adoption of global standards via Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) and Global Location Numbers (GLNs) is costing the Canadian healthcare system up to $2.3 billion every year. Without alignment to the GS1 global system used in over 150 countries, these costs are expected to continue growing year-over-year.

“Tariffs and economic pressures are highlighting the importance of an integrated, resilient healthcare supply chain both nationally and globally, just as the pandemic did,” said Tony Di Emanuele, President & CEO, Mohawk Medbuy and GS1 Canada Healthcare Advisory Council member. “We have been using the GS1 standards for accurate product identification for years at Mohawk Medbuy, along with multiple countries across the globe where healthcare products come from. Implementing global data standards is a key component of creating safer, smarter healthcare systems.”

Key Takeaways:

  • GTINs and GLNs are barcode and product identifier numbers that enable streamlined supply chain management of products.
  • When adopted in healthcare, they help facilitate accurate procurement efforts, support emergency response by foreseeing shortages and enabling fast recall efforts, provide useful data analytics on product usage, and improve patient outcomes.
  • Medical errors and adverse drug events which is estimated to impact up to 150,000 Canadians each year could be reduced by up to 63 percent by adopting GTINs and GLNs.
  • Canada's healthcare system lags international peers in GTIN and GLN adoption, limiting supply chain and trade diversification opportunities.
  • Global standards present a much-needed solution to strengthen supply chain independence and address health system challenges like workforce shortages.

Regulatory change is needed to ensure system-wide adoption and the universal use of GTINs and GLNs across all packaged products and health facilities. Health Canada, provincial health ministries, hospital administrators, and industry stakeholders are urged to collaborate on mandating global standards that drive connected care, supply chain transparency, and a national approach that will ultimately benefits patients.

“Adopting GTINs and GLNs is a low-cost step that can unlock critical resources for wait times, crisis response, and innovative care,” said Altaf Stationwala, President & CEO of Unity Health Toronto. “Beyond efficiency, these standards can help reduce medical errors, better anticipate shortages, and give hospitals the data they need to make smarter decisions for patients. They would enable a clinically integrated supply chain, tracking products from manufacturer right to the patient record and are a practical example of how working together can strengthen Canada’s health system.”

Collaboration across system partners and government is essential to bring these benefits to Canada’s health system.

The Costs of Inaction: Unlocking Potential in Canadian Healthcare Through GTIN and GLN Adoption

Download the full report
Download the executive summary

Media Contact

Laural Adams
Sr. Manager, Communications, GS1 Canada
Phone: 416-873-5841
Email: Laural.Adams@gs1ca.org

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About GS1 Canada

GS1 Canada is part of GS1, the global not-for-profit organization behind the first barcode and the world's most widely used supply chain standards. GS1 Canada supports business success through global barcodes and the development of industry-directed solutions that meet common business needs. Their collaborative approach, powered by GS1 standards, delivers measurable value to Canadian businesses of all sizes. As a leader in product data quality, GS1 Canada ensures the seamless exchange of accurate, trusted data between trading partners, fostering operational excellence and consumer trust. By providing essential tools and insights, they empower industries to work smarter, reduce costs, and create a more sustainable future.

About GS1

GS1 is a neutral, not-for-profit organisation that develops and maintains the most widely used global standards for business communication, including the GS1 DataMatrix barcode used to identify and trace medicines worldwide. Best known for the barcode, named by the BBC as one of the “50 things that made the world economy,” GS1 standards enhance efficiency, safety, and visibility across supply chains and sectors. With Member Organisations in over 120 countries and territories and more than 2 million member companies, GS1’s mission is to enable a world where trusted data improves business and lives everywhere. Learn more at www.gs1.org.

GS1 Canada Launches Solution Provider Program to Enhance Data Sharing Across Canada's Digital Commerce Landscape

New capability helps brands deliver trusted product data across Canada’s digital commerce channels

Toronto, ON, July 21, 2025 - GS1 Canada is proud to introduce the Solution Provider Program – Last Mile Delivery, a new capability that empowers brand owners to share accurate, validated eCommerce product content with solution providers through ECCnet Registry, Canada’s largest national bilingual product registry, providing trusted data for every Canadian.

“This program is a major step forward in unlocking the power of accurate, trusted product data across Canada’s digital shelf - empowering businesses of all sizes to thrive in the fast-moving world of digital commerce and last-mile delivery,” said Pam Horvatis, Senior Vice President, Industry Relations, GS1 Canada.

LAUNCHED ON July 21, 2025, and developed with industry partners, this initiative enhances how product data is exchanged across digital commerce channels, supporting shared industry goals of providing trusted data for every Canadian.

Supporting both Retailers and Brand owners the Solution Provider Program delivers measurable value across the industry. For brand owners, the Program enables them to seamlessly share their eCommerce product content directly to their chosen solution providers to help power consumer’s digital commerce experiences, including last-mile delivery platforms.

For retailers, the program provides consistent, high-quality product content across last-mile delivery platforms - reducing errors, accelerating onboarding and time to market, and allowing a unified shopper experience.

“By giving brand owners the ability to share their content with new platforms, like last-mile delivery, we're helping them broaden the reach of their data, drive efficiency, brand consistency, and faster time to market, while providing them full control over how and where they share their product content,” added Jason Laxdal, Vice President, Industry Managed Solutions, GS1 Canada.

Key Benefits include:

  • Drive content quality and brand confidence
  • Strengthen brand consistency across digital shelves
  • Extend the reach of brand owner’s product content
  • Support compliance with solution provider requirements
  • Minimize rework and manual processes
  • Accelerate product readiness and time to shelf

This new capability reflects GS1 Canada's commitment to providing trusted data for every Canadian, through the delivery of innovative solutions that simplify content sharing and help businesses thrive on today’s dynamic digital shelf.

About GS1 Canada

GS1 Canada is part of GS1, the global not-for-profit organization behind the first barcode and the world's most widely used supply chain standards. GS1 Canada supports business success through global barcodes and the development of industry-directed solutions that meet common business needs. Their collaborative approach, powered by GS1 standards, delivers measurable value to Canadian businesses of all sizes.

As a leader in product data quality, GS1 Canada ensures the seamless exchange of accurate, trusted data between trading partners, fostering operational excellence and consumer trust. By providing essential tools and insights, they empower industries to work smarter, reduce costs, and create a more sustainable future.

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Co-Presidency Announcement

GS1 Canada Announces François Bouchard and Adam Zanatta as Co-Presidents

Toronto, ON, Jan, 28, 2025 - GS1 Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of François Bouchard and Adam Zanatta as Co-Presidents, following confirmation by the organization's Board of Governors. The appointments come after the tragic passing of Eileen Mac Donald, GS1 Canada's esteemed President and CEO, in October 2024.

In their new roles, François and Adam will leverage their extensive industry expertise to drive GS1 Canada's strategic vision. As dynamic leaders, they will solidify GS1 Canada's position as a trusted strategic partner, leveraging their knowledge and expertise to develop industry-directed solutions to meet shared business challenges.

Focusing on key initiatives set by GS1 Canada's Board of Governors, François and Adam will lead the strategic direction, financial prudence and GS1 global standards adoption to continue delivering significant value to Canadian industry.

About François Bouchard

François served on GS1 Canada's Board of Governors from 2004 until 2018, before joining the organization as Senior Vice President, Subscriber Engagement. He has since held progressively senior leadership positions, most recently as Executive Vice-President overseeing Healthcare, Pharmacy, Public Affairs, Community Engagement and Cannabis. With extensive expertise across multiple sectors and comprehensive understanding of industry needs, Francois plays a pivotal role in driving GS1 Canada's strategic direction and supporting its continued growth and innovation.

Prior to joining GS1 Canada, François established himself as a successful grocery entrepreneur.

About Adam Zanatta

Since joining GS1 Canada as Senior Vice President, Industry Managed Solutions in 2019, Adam has assumed a range of leadership responsibilities within the organization, most recently as Executive Vice President, Industry Managed Solutions & Technology. His innovative approach and commitment to operational excellence have been central to GS1 Canada's ongoing success.

Prior to joining GS1 Canada, Adam held the position of Divisional Vice President of Digital Fulfilment at Hudson's Bay Company following roles in third-party logistics, private sector enterprises, consulting and start-ups. Adam's extensive logistics and supply chain industry experience will be critical in shaping GS1 Canada's future.

Comments from Co-Chairs of GS1 Canada's Board of Governors

"We are thrilled to announce François and Adam as GS1 Canada Co-Presidents. Their visionary leadership and dedication to excellence will be instrumental in navigating our organization through this pivotal phase. With their innovative strategies, they are ideally positioned to address the evolving demands across multiple industries in Canada," said Sam Wankowski, Co-Chair of GS1 Canada's Board of Governors and Chief Merchandising Officer, Walmart Canada

"François and Adam have demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to GS1 Canada's mission since taking on the interim Co-President roles in May 2024," says Curtis Frank, Co-Chair of GS1 Canada's Board of Governors and President and Chief Executive Officer, Maple Leaf Foods Inc. "Their combined expertise and vision will ensure that we continue to deliver unparalleled value to our stakeholders."

About GS1 Canada

GS1 Canada is part of GS1, the global not-for-profit organization behind the first barcode and the world's most widely used supply chain standards. GS1 Canada supports business success through global barcodes and the development of industry-directed solutions that meet common business needs. Their collaborative approach, powered by GS1 standards, delivers measurable value to Canadian businesses of all sizes.

As a leader in product data quality, GS1 Canada ensures the seamless exchange of accurate, trusted data between trading partners, fostering operational excellence and consumer trust. By providing essential tools and insights, they empower industries to work smarter, reduce costs, and create a more sustainable future.

To learn more about GS1 Canada and our leadership team, visit our website: About GS1 Canada | Our Leadership Team

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