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workforce observatory. Many countries have established over the last 10 years such an organization that: a) shares evidence, datasets and analysis, b) seeks and share innovation in a systematic manner, c) respects and work within a context of interdependence, d) provides evidence to make informed decisions, and e) integrates planning at a variety of levels and through various stakeholder organizations. We have created a prototype of what such an observatory could entail with the pan Canadian Health Human Resources Network. We have already begun working to build capacity in health human resource research and link researchers to a range of knowledge users and policy decision makers to address the issues addressed by the Premiers Health Innovation Working Groups, among others. There is also a need to situate the health workforce challenges we face within a broader international context. This includes how the changes to Canadian immigration policy will impact on the role that internationally- educated health professionals will play in our health system, as well as how health reform in the U.S. will impact our own health human resource planning. Having a pan Canadian health workforce observatory linked to other similar entities in other countries would better enable such a linked in approach. The Premiers report does represent a step forward on the way to improving health care in Canada, but it falls short of getting us more clearly on the right path. Ivy Lynn Bourgeault is the CIHR/Health Canada Research Chair in Health Human Resource Policy at the University of Ottawa and the lead of the pan Canadian Health Human Resources Network.