News Release
2003-46
June 20, 2003
For immediate release
National symposium results in a pan-Canadian action plan on healthy living
OTTAWA - Federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Health held
a symposium on healthy living on June 16th and 17th, 2003 in Toronto. Building on the extensive
consultation process undertaken in recent months, participants helped develop the pan-Canadian
Healthy Living Strategy, a collaborative initiative by governments to improve the health
of all Canadians, reduce health disparities and relieve the burden on the health care system.
Symposium co-host, the Honourable Anne McLellan, Federal Minister of Health noted that, "Hundreds
of Canadians have already made valuable contributions to the development of the Healthy
Living Strategy through the consultation process. Our collaborative efforts at the Symposium
generated an action plan that will help us reduce the impact of chronic illnesses such
as diabetes, heart disease and cancer and reduce the burden on the health care system."
Co-host, the Honourable Jane Purves, Minister of Health for Nova Scotia said, "We expect
that with the support of all those involved at the symposium and in the consultations,
the directions and initiatives identified at the Symposium will help Canadians lead healthier
lives, and reduce the burden these diseases place on the health care system."
The Healthy Living Symposium provided an opportunity to identify key priorities, initiatives
and actions relating to the Strategy's Phase I focus on nutrition, physical activity and
their relationship to healthy weights.
Participants conveyed a sense of urgency to act on these issues, and identified a number
of actions that should be addressed, including:
- creating a forum to allow different disciplines, sectors and jurisdiction to work together
to act on Health living;
- enhancing research to ensure that goals and outcomes of Healthy Living programs are
realistic and measurable;
- determining how to optimize the collective resources of all sectors;
- examining the potential for a focal point for public health in Canada that would include
Healthy Living issues; and
- recognizing the special needs of Aboriginal peoples.
Following the Symposium, work will continue with stakeholders and between and among governments
to prepare a report for Deputy Ministers of Health in July and Ministers of Health in the
fall.
Over 300 participants attended the Symposium in downtown Toronto. Stakeholders representing
all levels of government, the health care and other sectors, non-governmental, volunteer
and consumer organizations, Aboriginal peoples, the private sector and academia had an
opportunity to attend plenary presentations and contribute to break-out discussions informed
by consultations held across Canada this March and April.
In addition, the Symposium featured a Showcase, celebrating successful integrated Healthy
Living programs from across Canada. This interactive display of "best practices" provided
Symposium participants with the opportunity to see successful healthy living initiatives
in action.
Speakers at the Symposium indluded Dr. John Frank, Scientific Director, Institute for
Population and Public Health, Canadian Institutes for Health Research and Dr. David Katz
Yale University, School of Medicine.
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Media Inquiries:
Jirina Vlk
Media Relations
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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