In 1988 the deans of 12 (out of 16) Canadian medical schools appointed representatives to a Canadian Palliative Care Curriculum Committee. The Committee has subsequently published the Canadian Palliative Care Curriculum which outlines specific goals and objectives for palliative care instruction in undergraduate medical teaching. The Curriculum covers 22 different topics, including 13 symptoms and 9 psychosocial issues. The Canadian Curriculum Committee continues to meet and is now considering other national educational initiatives in palliative care.