Joint Declaration of Intent regarding Cooperation between the Department of Health of Canada and the Ministry of Health and Solidarity of the French Republic in the Field of Health for the Period 2006 - 2010

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The Department of Health of Canada and the Ministry of Health and Solidarity of the French Republic, hereafter referred to as the "Participants",

Recalling the Administrative Arrangement Between the Minister of Health of Canada and the Minister Responsible for Health of the French Republic signed in Paris on 29 August 1996, on the principle that the cooperation and exchange activities will reflect the mutual interests of the Participants,

Wishing to expand the reach of this initial Arrangement and integrate collaboration in a number of areas,

Have identified the following three major themes in the joint declaration of intent:

1. Preparedness for Emerging Infectious Diseases, including Avian and Pandemic Influenza

The Ottawa Statement on Global Pandemic Influenza Readiness was endorsed by France, which has already attended a first meeting, namely the ministerial conference on avian and pandemic influenza that was held on 24 and 25 October 2005, in Ottawa.

Further exchanges will take place on this issue. Canada and France will share the results of their respective experience with the preparation and implementation of their preparedness and response plan including quarantine and border issues and vaccine research and development. The two countries will also work toward a common understanding on implementation of the new International Health Regulations (IHRs) and compare implementation process of elements of the IHRs in both countries.

2. Organization of the Health Care System

Canada and France are preoccupied with the timely and equitable access of their citizens to appropriate health care. The two countries can benefit from the exchange of information and best practices related to the management of wait times and larger system reforms to improve access and in the area of new technologies used for information exchange and communication in the health sector. Canada would like to share its knowledge and relevant experience in e-health and in telehealth, particularly in the area of patients' electronic health records. Both countries will share their experience regarding initiatives concerning the access to safe, effective and affordable medicines, (e.g. the Common Drug Review and the Therapeutic Access Strategy, for Canada, and activities of the Agence française de sécurité sanitaire et des produits de santé and the Haute Autorité de la Santé, for France). In addition, both countries will share their perspectives on reducing wait times.

Canada and France recognize that Health Human Resources planning and management are an integral part of their respective health policies. They wish to collaborate further in this matter, especially through the exchange of tools and methods. Canada is interested in learning from the French experiment with a national observatory for health professions (Observatoire national de la démographie des professions de santé). France can benefit from Canadian efforts in the development of inter-professional education and of models and approaches to life-long training.

3. HIV/AIDS, STI, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Hepatitis B/C and TB

Canada and France recognize the importance of sharing policy and program knowledge to help address domestic and international issues around HIV/AIDS and other related public health challenges including STI, Hepatitis B/C and TB as well as sexual and reproductive health, particularly as they affect vulnerable populations.

4. Other Potential Areas of Future Cooperation

There is a need to promote health and to prevent and control chronic disease in order to make a difference in reducing the burden on health care systems. Improved knowledge translation can support innovation as decision-makers strive to stay current with the exponential growth of new knowledge and breakthroughs in health promotion, chronic disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

France and Canada agree to work together on promoting health by sharing knowledge and best practices regarding:

• the conditions that lead to unhealthy eating, physical inactivity and unhealthy weights;
• the prevention of chronic diseases;
• and early detection and management of chronic diseases.

In particular, France and Canada will share knowledge and best practices regarding physical activity, cancer, and the advancement of mental health and mental illness.

Means of Cooperation and Activities

The Participants may cooperate through the following means:

1. Joint workshops and seminars;
2. Research and information exchanges;
3. Exchange of experts;
4. Other means to be considered in due time.

Timetable and Administrative Arrangements

French expert missions will be organized in 2006 to advance this Joint Declaration of Intent and to establish a timetable for its implementation. The receiving country will not be expected to pay in-country costs, accommodation and other incidental expenses incurred by the sending country. The sending country will be responsible to ensure that their representatives have proper medical and emergency travel insurance in case of accident or illness.

Coming into Effect and Duration

This Joint Declaration of Intent will come into effect upon its signature and will remain into effect until the 31^st day of December 2010. It can be renewed by mutual consent of the Participants.

This Joint Declaration of Intent is not intended to create legally binding obligations between the participants either under domestic or international law.

Signed in duplicate at Toronto on this 15^th day of August 2006, in the English and French languages, all versions being equally valid.