May 16, 2007

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - Health Minister Tony Clement, attending the World Health Assembly in Geneva, said that progress was made on several key global health issues of importance to Canada, including human pandemic influenza preparedness, the application of the new International Health Regulations, and public health innovation and intellectual property rights. He also announced the release of the second batch of chemical substances to be listed under Canada's Chemicals Management Plan.

Minister Clement joined 193 representatives of member states to discuss the critical health issues facing the world today. In particular, the Minister called on all nations to continue their preparations to face the threat of human pandemic influenza.

“National and international preparedness continues to be critical for global health security,” Minister Clement said in his address to the World Health Assembly. “We must work together to ensure that this week's discussions will advance our international readiness for a potential human influenza pandemic.”

Working in partnership with the World Health Organization on a broad range of initiatives, Canada's New Government is continuing its role to protect and promote the health of Canadians and people around the world.

Minister Clement held discussions with a number of key countries on the theme of Health and the Environment. He described Canada's new Chemicals Management Plan, which challenges industry to demonstrate that the chemicals they use do not pose unacceptable risks to human health or the environment.

The Chemicals Management Plan places the onus on industry to provide the government with information about how they are safely managing 200 chemical substances. These substances were identified as high priorities for government action following Canada's world-leading work on the systematic categorization of legacy chemical substances.

Through the Challenge initiative, Canada's New Government will separate the 200 identified chemicals into batches of 15-30 substances and publish the lists in the Canada Gazette every three months. The second batch of chemicals was published on May 12, 2007. Industry will be required to provide information within four to six months on any of these substances that they manufacture, import or use.

The World Health Assembly meeting is taking place from May 14-23, 2007.