News Release
2004-05
February 12, 2004
For immediate release
Health Canada releases Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan
OTTAWA - The Honourable Pierre S. Pettigrew, Minister of Health, and the Honourable
Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State (Public Health), today announced the release of
the joint federal, provincial and territorial governments' Canadian Pandemic Influenza
Plan. The plan, developed collaboratively with the provinces and territories, maps out
how Canada would prepare for and respond to a pandemic influenza outbreak.
"From history, we understand the implications of pandemic influenza and we have to be
prepared. With this plan, the Government of Canada, provinces and territories have taken
action to protect the health and safety of Canadians," said Minister Pettigrew. "Canada
has clearly taken leadership on the world stage in the development of a comprehensive approach
for dealing with an influenza outbreak."
Although the timing of a pandemic is unpredictable, experts agree that future influenza
pandemics are inevitable so we must be prepared
The plan creates a framework that would guide the actions of all levels of government
in the event of an influenza pandemic. It includes an emergency response plan as well as
guidelines and checklists designed to assist all jurisdictions with their emergency planning.
The Pandemic Influenza Committee and related working groups, consisting of representatives
from the federal government, provinces and territories, consulted extensively with over
200 officials and experts in the development of the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan. All
provinces and territories are using the Pandemic Influenza Plan as a framework in developing
their own plans.
"Preparation in advance is critical to our ability to contain a pandemic and minimize
serious illness should a new disease threaten us," said Minister Bennett. "These goals
will only be realized through a national plan like this that outlines the roles and responsibilities
of all levels of government so that we have a coordinated response that protects the health
of all Canadians in the event of a pandemic."
The plan covers the following activities:
- Prevention activities, such as annual immunization programs and the establishment
of an infrastructure for manufacturing sufficient vaccines to protect all Canadians at
the time of a pandemic.
- Preparedness activities include the preparation of actual plans for a pandemic.
The preparedness section addresses key activity areas, such as vaccine programs,
surveillance and public health measures in terms of their current status and future requirements.
- Response/Implementation (including communications activities) for controlling
the pandemic and any social disruption it causes. Implementation also involves tracking
activities and outcomes in order to make changes swiftly if the situation warrants.
"Canada has produced the most comprehensive Pandemic Preparedness Plan we have seen. It
addresses all the major issues, describes the possibilities and comes up with solutions," said
Klaus Stohr, head of the World Health Organization's Global Influenza Programme.
Canada had its first pandemic influenza plan in 1988. The plan being released today reflects
an evolution based on research, national and provincial experiences, and the experiences
of other countries that have dealt with disease outbreaks. The plan will continue to evolve
based on the best and most recent knowledge available.
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Media Inquiries:
Emmanuel Chabot
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803
Sébastien Théberge
Office of Pierre S. Pettigrew
Minister of Health
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister Responsible for Official Languages
(613) 957-0200
Suzanne Cowan
Office of Carolyn Bennett
Minister of State (Public Health)
(613) 941-8081
Public Inquiries
(613) 957-2991
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