The Pan-Canadian Genome Library (PCGL), hosted at McGill University, announced a major milestone in the implementation of Canada's national genomics infrastructure with the planned integration of data from CGEn's HostSeq Initiative and the Biobanque Québécoise de la COVID-19 (BQC19). This achievement marks a significant step in transforming Canada's world-class genomic data assets into a coordinated, accessible, and impactful national resource.
The integration will unite two of Canada's most important COVID-19-era genomic initiatives. HostSeq was launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by CGEn, Canada's national platform for genome sequencing and analysis, with partners across the country. HostSeq is a national whole-genome sequencing resource linking genomic and clinical data from more than 10,000 people living in Canada. CGEn and its lead institution, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), formally signed an agreement enabling HostSeq data integration into the PCGL. BQC19, Québec's province-wide COVID-19 biobank, is also contributing its whole-genome sequencing data for integration into the PCGL. This biobank has generated deeply curated biological samples and associated data, reflecting Québec's longstanding leadership in biobanking and collaborative research.
Delivering on a National Vision for Genomics
This milestone delivers on the Government of Canada's vision for the PCGL: to move beyond fragmented, project-specific datasets and toward a cohesive, pan-Canadian genomic data ecosystem. It also reinforces the priorities of ISED's Canadian Genomics Strategy by improving access to genomic data, strengthening coordination across the ecosystem, and translating genomic research into tangible health, economic, and societal benefits for Canadians.
With HostSeq and BQC19 set to be integrated into the PCGL, this step marks the creation of a valuable national asset, providing a trusted access point that advances research excellence, health system transformation, and innovation at scale.
"Extensive investments have been made in Canada over the last two decades to generate thousands of human genome," says Guillaume Bourque, a Professor of Human Genetics at McGill University and the Lead of the PCGL. "However, to fully realize the benefits of this valuable information, we need tools like PCGL that will enable long-term access and facilitate research and innovation."
"PCGL was built with governance at its core. Clear rules and shared accountability are what allow genomic data to be shared and reused at scale", says Ma'n H. Zawati, Associate Professor and co-Lead of the PCGL. "The successful integration of HostSeq and BQC19 demonstrates that projects can join PCGL with confidence that their data will be stewarded responsibly and in the public interest".
"HostSeq, as an inaugural cohort, is helping develop PCGL data ingestion, analysis, and access processes. This initial framework is the result of a strong collaborative effort between CGEn and PCGL, and will help to ready the PCGL for future data integration and sharing of high-quality genomic data to enable timely, critical research across many areas of health," says Meredith McLaren, CEO of CGEn, Canada's national platform for genome sequencing and analysis. "CGEn is excited to contribute to this immensely important asset for Canadian researchers for years to come."
"Integrating HostSeq and BQC19 into the Pan-Canadian Genome Library represents a major milestone for genomics research in Canada," says Dominique Bérubé, Vice-President, Research and Innovation at McGill University. "By bringing this genomic data together under the PCGL, this national resource can better support accelerated scientific discovery and enable future breakthroughs in health research."
"Resource sharing lies at the heart of BQC19's mission. We are therefore very pleased to contribute to the PCGL, a national initiative that plays a vital role for the scientific community," says Madeleine Durand and Simon Rousseau, Co-Directors of BQC19. "Such collaboration is essential to addressing the health challenges facing Canadians. We are convinced that the PCGL will pave the way for greater integration and enhanced sharing of human health data."
