Speech by the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq Minister of Health for a CIDA Luncheon with Dr. Margaret Chan Director-General of the World Health Organization

This content was archived on June 24, 2013.

November 21, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario

Check Against Delivery

Good afternoon,

Thank you Dr. Chan and Dr. Goldman; the discussion was fascinating.

Dr. Chan, I know that I speak for everyone here when I say that it is an honour to have you as our guest.

We appreciate your thoughts and insights on every health issue, especially on the progress we are making with respect to children's health; both in Canada and around the world.

Your perspective is particularly important because of your understanding of Canada and our health issues. It's great to have your advice.

As a parent and as Health Minister, I know that there is nothing more important than the health of our children.

Yesterday was the Universal Day of the Child: a day to commemorate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. One of the fundamental rights of children is the right to "grow and develop in health."

The Convention also calls for special care and protection for both the child and mother.

As parents, we need to do everything we can to make sure our children are safe, that they eat well, and that they grow up to live productive lives.

But as Dr. Chan has said many times: a child's health is dependent on the mother's health. I couldn't agree more.

Here in Canada, our government funds several programs to improve maternal, newborn, and child health.

For example, every year, the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program supports community projects that promote public health and help pregnant women.

And the Community Action Program for Children provides support for projects that help communities, parents, and caregivers to improve the health and well-being of children.

Our government is working with the provinces and territories, non-governmental organizations, and other partners to improve the health of children and their families. 

Together we can help improve maternal, newborn and child health.

I want to thank Dr. Chan and the World Health Organization for playing a central role in advancing this very, very important cause.

This luncheon is an opportunity for us to re-affirm our commitment to children and families. We must continue to work with our partners to make sure that children have the best start in life, no matter where they live.

And now I would like to introduce two doctors who tend to the health of children everyday.

Dr. Heather MacDonnell and Dr. Tobey Audcent are both consultant paediatricians at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

They share a passion for health issues that affect children around the world. They want to share their knowledge with others and have developed an innovative way to do it.

Now, I would like to invite Doctors MacDonnell and Audcent to tell us more about their project.

Thank you. Doctors?