[1][2] Taylor obtained his qualifications as a medical doctor and family medicine resident at Dalhousie University.
[2] In 1992 he moved to the University of Ottawa in order to complete a fellowship in community medicine,[citation needed] after which he was employed by the federal government and began his career as a civil servant.
[3] As CPHO between 2014 and 2016, Taylor needed to advise Canadians on the Ebola outbreak and the Zika virus.
[1] Taylor was very concerned about the development of superbugs, and he advised Canadians to ease up on alcohol.
[4] Taylor has served on the board of directors of the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research since March 2018.