According to results from the 2007/2008 Canadian Community Health Survey, about 1 in 10 Canadians aged 12 to 44—9% of males and 12% of females, an estimated 1.5 million people—experienced chronic pain. The Statistics Canada report noted that absences from school, work and social activities have been linked to chronic pain, and mental health may be compromised.

The president of the Canadian Pain Society, Dr. Mary Lynch, says "Pain is misunderstood and undertreated, and can be a lifelong struggle."

The Declaration of Montreal September 2010 Footnote 6 states: Appropriate assessment includes recording the results of assessment (e.g., pain as the “5th vital sign,” can focus attention on unrelieved pain, triggering appropriate treatment interventions and adjustments). Appropriate treatment includes access to pain medications, including opioids and other essential medications for pain, and best-practice interdisciplinary and integrative non-pharmacological therapies, with access to professionals skilled in the safe and effective use of these medicines and treatments and supported by health policies, legal frameworks, and procedures to assure such access and prevent inappropriate use. Given the lack of adequately trained health professionals, this will require providing educational programs regarding pain assessment and treatment in all of the health care professions and programs within the community for community care workers delivering pain care. It also includes establishment of programs in pain medicine for the education of specialist physicians in pain medicine and palliative medicine. Accreditation policies to assure appropriate standards of training and care should also be established.