News Release
June 19, 2003
For immediate release
The Government of Canada promises another $250 million to Ontario
to fight SARS
OTTAWA - The Government of Canada today announced
additional funding of $250 million to help the Province of Ontario
in the fight against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS),
in recognition of Ontario's extraordinary effort to protect public
health. While the SARS outbreak has taken place mainly in Ontario,
it has had an impact across Canada. Combined with the $110 million
already announced, this amounts to a total investment to date of
$360 million in federal assistance for SARS.
The experience with SARS has demonstrated the need for a public
health strategy that can respond more quickly to future disease
outbreaks. Therefore, in addition to today's funding announcements,
the Government will begin consultations with the provinces and
territories, the World Health Organisation, and the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help us enhance our
public health capacity for the future.
"This must include national strategies to deal with communicable
and non-communicable diseases, additional surge capacity, and a
national focal point to coordinate response. It should allow for
early identification of disease threats, both at the national and
local level, and ensure effective containment and control through
quarantine, isolation and effective information sharing domestically
and internationally" said Minister McLellan.
"I am very pleased that the Government has found a vehicle to
assist those most directly affected by SARS. Having personally
seen the impact of SARS, I believe it is important that all levels
of government work together to find a solution," Minister McCallum
stated.
The Government has already set aside $110 million to deal with
public health challenges and mitigate the impact on individuals
and businesses affected by SARS. Public health initiatives include:
infection control, research, vaccine development, and entry and
exit controls at airports and land borders. Economic initiatives
include: easing the burden on individuals (for example, by arranging
temporary deferral of mortgage payments and waiving the two-week
waiting period for Employment Insurance for those under quarantine),
work-sharing agreements to save hundreds of jobs; and $37.5 million
to promote tourism.
Of the $250 million incremental funding, $150 million will be
provided immediately to Ontario in recognition of its efforts in
the control and containment of SARS and to support front-line workers
in the battle on behalf of Canada against this disease. Details
about the remaining $100 million will be forthcoming after discussions
with the province and the City of Toronto about the best way to
help Canadians and specifically the people of Toronto and Ontario
recover from the challenges of SARS.
For additional information on SARS, please visit:  www.sars.gc.ca
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Media Inquiries:
Farah Mohamed
Office of Anne McLellan
Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Randy Mylyk
Director of Communications
Office of John McCallum
Minister of National Defence
(613) 996 - 3100
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