Letter to Editor regarding the article "Politics a threat to native health" (Victoria Times Colonist - May 6, 2012)

2012-67
May 8, 2012
For immediate release

OTTAWA - Your May 6, 2012 editorial (Politics a threat to Native health), left out some key information about the Harper Government's commitment to Aboriginal health and, specifically, health research.

As Health Minister, my top priority is protecting the front-line health and safety services to First Nation and Inuit communities, and making sure that taxpayers' dollars are used wisely.

The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) does not deliver front-line health care services. In addition to that, three of the five national aboriginal organizations that form NAHO wrote to me, saying that they favoured winding down the organization, and I accepted that recommendation.

Contrary to the claims in your editorial, our government remains committed to aboriginal health research. We invest approximately $30 million per year through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. This will benefit current and future generations of aboriginal people in Canada.

Even with budget reductions, Health Canada plans to invest $2.2 billion on Aboriginal health for 2012-13. Funding for First Nations and Inuit will continue with an improved focus on direct service delivery such as primary health care, nursing and community-based programming.

Whether it's increasing transfers to provinces and territories to record levels, or investing significantly in aboriginal health research, our government takes the health and safety of Canadians seriously.

Sincerely,

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health

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