News Release

1999-82
June 11, 1999

Canadians with disabilities play important role as Canadian Health Network developed

WINNIPEG -  Health Minister Allan Rock announced today that a consortium led by the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities will receive funding to become an affiliate partner with the Canadian Health Network (CHN).

The CHN, expected to be launched this fall, is a national Internet-based service that will provide information on health promotion and disease prevention, self-care and the health system. As an affiliate partner, the consortium will provide leadership and expertise in areas relevant to people with disabilities.

"The CHN is designed to provide Canadians with timely, relevant and credible information to help them make more informed and better health choices," said Minister Rock, who spoke at the annual general meeting of the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities (SMD). "It underscores the federal government's commitment to improving the health of Canadians through investment in the health lane of the information highway.

The consortium will provide the CHN with vital information on disabilities that will help create a truly national network." The consortium is comprised of the SMD, the Easter Seal March of Dimes National Council, the Newfoundland Society for the Physically Disabled, the New Brunswick Easter Seal March of Dimes, the Abilities Foundation of Nova Scotia, the Saskatchewan Abilities Council, the Ontario Easter Seal Society and the Ontario March of Dimes. As an affiliate partner, the consortium will receive up to $300,000 a year for three years, which will be reassessed yearly based on the level of their contribution to the CHN. The specific funding arrangement is currently being negotiated.

"SMD along with our March of Dimes and Easter Seal consortium partners are pleased to be playing a role in this exciting new initiative," said David L. Steen, CEO, Society for Manitobans with Disabilities. "Our partnership in the Canadian Health Network gives us the opportunity to foster the empowerment of people with disabilities by providing them with a range of information critical to their health and well-being."

Additional partners in the CHN will include organizations with expertise in areas such as AIDS, cancer, environmental health, healthy living, injury prevention, mental health, tobacco and violence, as well as population groups like seniors, children, youth and women.

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Media Inquiries:
Derek Kent
Office of Allan Rock
(613) 957-1515

Jeffrey Pender
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988

David Steen
CEO
Society for Manitobans with Disabilities
(204) 784-3734

Brian Hayday
Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Health Network
(416) 408-4499  

Public Inquiries
(613) 957-2991