Letter to Editor regarding the article "L'abolition du programme pour la santé des femmes, une aberration pour Anne-Marie Day" (Journal Charlesbourg Express- May 24, 2012)

2012-83
May 28, 2012
For immediate release

OTTAWA - I am writing in response to your May 24, 2012 article, "L'abolition du programme pour la santé des femmes," which said a recent funding reduction to the Women's Health Contribution Program shows a lack of concern for gender equity and women's health.

This is not the case. I want to assure all Canadians that our Government believes in investing substantially to improve the lives and health of Canadian women. Last year, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research we spent $53.8 million towards gender related research. This research will foster a better understanding of the influence of gender specific factors on the health of women and men. Since 2006 we have spent more than $241 million funding on this type of research.

We have also played a leadership role in preventing the spread of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cancer. We invested $300 million between 2007 and 2010 to enable the provinces and territories to ensure HPV immunization programs were put in place. To complement the HPV vaccine public education efforts of the provinces and territories, the Government of Canada has put in place a funding program to support a national HPV information campaign.

These are just a few examples that show our government's leadership in supporting better lives and health for women. The knowledge and improvements we gain through these investments will ensure that our Government's research, policies and programs will lead to better outcomes that will benefit women - and all Canadians.

Sincerely,

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health

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