News Release
1999-126
October 30, 1999
Ministers Rock and Anderson announce funding for community health initiatives and research in British Columbia
VICTORIA - Health Minister Allan Rock and Environment Minister and Victoria M.P., David Anderson, today announced federal funding for community health and research projects in British Columbia that support the Government of Canada's strategy to continue to build a higher quality of life for all Canadians. Over $1.85 million will be allocated to the 16 projects.
"We are committed to focussing on areas where we can and must make a difference in the lives of Canadians," said Minister Rock. "We will continue to work with health care providers and community groups to improve health information, health care delivery and the overall health of Canadians."
"These projects address two key areas of interest to British Columbians: research into serious health issues and the delivery of community-based programming," said Minister Anderson. "Our continuing partnership with health researchers and health care providers across the province will allow us to help British Columbians make right and responsible decisions that will improve the quality of their life at all stages."
Earlier this month, in the  Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada reaffirmed its commitment to enhance the quality of life of all Canadians and strengthen the quality of health care by working in partnership with voluntary and community organizations. These organizations are critical to the quality of life in communities, and as partners, are key to the federal government's efforts to ensure that Canada's health care system meets the evolving needs of Canadians.
"The strength of our society will depend on the investments we make today in families and children," added Minister Rock. "We must ensure that all children are equipped with the capacities they need to be ready to learn when they begin school, and to grow into healthy, productive adults."
Today's announcement complements the Health Canada's current investment of over $36.4 million in community health care and research initiatives in British Columbia. All of these projects will allow the people of British Columbia and those who deliver health care services to provide effective solutions to health care issues, and their experiences can then be used for the benefit of all Canadians.
The Government of Canada has introduced a number of innovative programs and initiatives to promote good health at all stages of life and to strengthen research. The following summary describes the program areas for the projects being announced today:
The Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS
In May 1998, the Minister of Health launched a new approach to address the HIV epidemic in Canada, and committed ongoing annual funding of $42.2 million to the initiative. The Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS has a set of clear goals: prevent the spread of HIV infection in Canada; find a cure; find effective vaccines, drugs and therapies; ensure effective care, treatment and support for Canadians living with HIV/AIDS, and for their families, friends and caregivers; minimize the impact of HIV/AIDS on individuals and communities; and counter the social and economic factors that increase individual and collective risk of HIV infection.
The Population Health Fund
Health Canada has adopted a population health approach to further its continuing mandate to maintain and improve the health of Canadians. This approach recognizes that many factors, in addition to the health care system, have a strong influence on health, for example: nutrition, physical activity, or education. The approach promotes prevention, and encourages positive action on determinants that affect the health of the population as a whole, or that of specific population groups. The goal of the Population Health Fund, which has an annual budget of $14 million, is to increase community capacity for action on the determinants of health.
The National Health Research and Development Program (NHRDP)
The National Health Research and Development Program (NHRDP) is the primary mechanism by which Health Canada invests in: (1) extramural research which supports Health Canada's mission and national health priorities; and (2) the training and development of researchers in these areas. It funds research which contributes to the development of health policy at the federal, provincial and regional levels.
The federal government will continue to support a health care system that is flexible, that maintains the fundamental principles of Medicare, is integrated, encourages community action, and is based on sound information.
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