News Release
1995-63
September 20, 1995
Federal Health Minister determined to preserve and protect Medicare
VICTORIA,B.C. - Federal Health Minister Diane Marleau said today that, in her view, progress was made on several key issues during the two day meeting of federal/provincial/territorial Health Ministers which concluded here today.
She said that all Ministers agreed to work together on developing a vision for the future of the health system and have instructed their officials to make substantial progress by December. Among the issues to be addressed are the appropriate range of health services, the respective roles of the federal and provincial/territorial governments and policies to ensure population health.
With regard to interpreting the Canada Health Act, the Minister noted that federal/provincial/territorial governments have been consulting over the past few months and that this process will be developed further.
"Although the two levels of government don't see eye to eye on all issues, there's a lot more on which we agree than points of difference," she said.
Minister Marleau expressed hope that federal-provincial differences over private clinics could still be resolved before the October 15 deadline for imposing sanctions under the Canada Health Act.
"The October 15 deadline is firm, but I believe we can reach agreement to end the practice of private clinics charging facility fees for medically-necessary services," the Minister said. "It never was my intention to penalize provinces, but it certainly is my intention to preserve and protect medicare for Canadians.
Gayle Morris
Minister's Office
(613) 957-0200
Fact sheet attached
1995-64
September 21, 1995
Statement by Health Minister Diane Marleau
I am disappointed with today's Supreme Court decision that significant parts of the Tobacco Products Control Act are contrary to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Obviously, I would have preferred another decision.
This is a lengthy and complex decision; it follows seven years of litigation. My officials need to assess the impact of the decision. We will be reviewing our legislative options, in consultation with the Minister of Justice, and will most certainly be reporting back to Parliament.
But, in the meantime, some aspects of the Tobacco Products Control Act are still valid. The Court has determined that the area of tobacco control is within federal jurisdiction and other major federal tobacco control legislation, such as the Tobacco Sales to Young Persons Act, is unaffected.
Equally important, our objectives remain unchanged and our jurisdictional competence is not in question. The fact that over 40,000 Canadians die each year as a direct result of tobacco-related diseases should motivate all governments to work aggressively to control tobacco products. Health Canada, therefore, will try to find innovative ways to reduce the demand for tobacco products.
Our main objective in the battle against smoking is to protect the health of Canadians and prevent tobacco-related deaths.
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