Injury is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Canada and health-care costs associated with injury and trauma are significant. Trauma systems and standards have been defined by the Trauma Association of Canada. A National Trauma Registry has also been introduced, which has become an important resource for measuring the impact of this condition. The Registry has also been an important tool for trauma-centre quality control and assessment. The strengths of organized Canadian trauma care are described, as are current challenges.