CORE MISSION
To prepare the Canadian oncology healthcare system for the safe, equitable, and evidence-based implementation of psychedelic-assisted therapies.
MISSION STATEMENT
People living with advanced cancer can experience significant psychological and existential distress, including demoralization, yet effective options for addressing these concerns remain limited. Psychedelic-assisted therapies are an emerging area of research with potential relevance to cancer care, but more evidence is needed to understand their safety, effectiveness, and appropriate use within oncology.
CAN-PACT brings together a national network of researchers, clinicians, patients, and partners to address these gaps. We build clinical and research capacity, identify patient-centered research priorities, generate rigorous evidence, develop education and training programs, and collaborate with policymakers and health systems to support the responsible integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies into Canadian cancer care.
OUR VISION
We envision a future where all Canadians living with cancer have free, timely and equitable access to evidence-based treatments – including psychedelic-assisted therapies – in compassionate cancer care systems that ease psychological suffering and restore well-being.
OUR CORE VALUES
COMPASSION
We are guided by compassion for people living with cancer and their caregivers, working to alleviate psychological and existential suffering and improve quality of life.
PATIENT-CENTEREDNESS
Everything we undertake is guided by the preferences, needs and priorities of people living with cancer and their families. Patient partners form the core of our decision-making process.
SCIENTIFIC RIGOR
We advance the field through rigorous, innovative, transparent, and ethical research that generates the highest-quality evidence.
SAFETY & RESPONSIBILITY
We prioritize patient safety and responsible clinical practice in the development and implementation of psychedelic-assisted therapies.
EQUITY, INCLUSION & ACCESS
We are committed to accessible and equitable access to emerging therapies and inclusive research that reflects the diversity of people affected by cancer across Canada. We work within publicly-funded cancer care systems to ensure access without financial barriers.
COLLABORATION
We foster collaboration among researchers, clinicians, patients, caregivers, communities, and policymakers to accelerate responsible innovation in cancer care.
LEARNING & CAPACITY BUILDING
We invest in education, mentorship, and training to build a sustainable national community of clinicians and researchers advancing psychedelic-assisted cancer therapy.
OUR CORE OBJECTIVES
CAN-PACT brings together experts from across Canada to build the knowledge, infrastructure, and relationships needed to evaluate psilocybin-assisted therapy within cancer care. Our work spans research, education, ethics, collaboration, and patient engagement—all grounded in evidence and shaped by lived experience.
BELOW ARE THE CORE AREAS THAT GUIDE OUR EFFORTS:
1. BUILDING A NATIONAL COLLABORATIVE NETWORK
We connect clinicians, researchers, trainees, policymakers, patient partners, and community organizations across Canada to share knowledge, align efforts, and shape the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted cancer care. This national community ensures that research and practice evolve collaboratively rather than in isolation.
2. ESTABLISH RESEARCH PRIORITIES
Through evidence reviews, expert consultation, and the upcoming James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership (JLA PSP), we identify the most important unanswered questions about psilocybin-assisted therapy in cancer care. This ensures future studies address real-world needs and patient-defined priorities.
3. DEVELOP TRAINING & CLINICAL CAPACITY
CAN-PACT works toward creating training pathways and competency frameworks for clinicians, mental health professionals, and interdisciplinary teams who may one day deliver psilocybin-assisted therapy in oncology and palliative care settings. This helps prepare Canada for safe, regulated clinical delivery.
4. CONDUCT PILOT STUDIES
We support the planning and development of early-stage, ethically grounded pilot studies that examine feasibility, safety, and therapeutic potential. These foundational studies help inform future clinical trials and guide responsible clinical implementation.
5. LAUNCH MULTI-SITE TRIAL
CAN-PACT is preparing to launch a multi-site clinical trial that will evaluate psilocybin-assisted therapy across several Canadian cancer centres. This study will build on earlier pilot work, use patient-centred outcomes, and be designed for real-world feasibility. The goal is to generate strong, practical evidence to guide safe and equitable clinical delivery in the future.
6. STRENGTHEN KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION & POLICY ENGAGEMENT
We are committed to sharing clear, evidence-based information about psychedelic-assisted cancer therapy. Through bilingual educational materials, public communication, and policy outreach, CAN-PACT works to support understanding, reduce stigma, and engage decision-makers as the field evolves. These efforts help ensure research findings translate into informed practice and policy.
OUR JOURNEY
MORE TO COME...
As CAN-PACT continues to evolve, new milestones will be added to this timeline to reflect our growth, progress, and contributions to psychedelic-assisted cancer care.
SPONSORS
Funded by Canadian Cancer Society in partnership with Brain Canada
PARTNERS
