Speaking notes by the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq Minister of Health And the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency - Opening Remarks - Canadian Medical Association (CMA) 145th Annual Meeting

August 13, 2012
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Check Against Delivery

Good morning.

I would like to begin by thanking the CMA for inviting me to its 145th annual meeting here in beautiful Yellowknife. 

I am delighted to welcome delegates and their families to Canada's North and hope you have a chance to experience our hospitality.

I was pleased to have the opportunity to travel with Dr. Haggie and Dr. Reid to parts of my home territory of Nunavut earlier this year.  Healthcare in the North has always been a topic I have felt very strongly about.

That's why I'm especially pleased to congratulate incoming president Dr. Anna Reid on her appointment. Her experience in rural and remote health issues and her commitment to addressing health inequities will serve the CMA well. I look forward to discussing these, and other issues, with Dr. Reid in the year ahead.

Overview:

Based on your agenda, I see you will be discussing topics such as equity, sustainability, efficiency and transformation -- as well as the federal role in health care.

There's been a lot of unhelpful, over-the-top rhetoric this past year from individuals and organizations about the federal role in healthcare.  It's a shame, because as the polling data released by the CMA last week shows, the topic of healthcare is so important to Canadians, that we owe it to everyone to base our arguments on facts.

I would like to offer my perspective on the actions we -- as a federal government -- are taking to improve the health of Canadians, and reiterate what our government sees as the federal role in healthcare.

I hope it will be helpful for your discussion later on this week.

I am sure we can all agree that Canada's health care system has many strengths. Our single payer system is there for all Canadians in need, regardless of their ability to pay.  We also have strong health care institutions, access to excellent health technologies, and a community of dedicated health providers. 

Our government has been absolutely clear that we will respect provincial and territorial jurisdiction when it comes to delivery of healthcare.  As a former Territorial Health Minister, I know very well that decision-making about healthcare is best left to the provincial, territorial, and local levels. 

As federal Minister of Health, I will not dictate to the provinces and territories how they will deliver services, or set their priorities. 

But this does not mean there is not a role for the federal government.

Because clearly there is. 

From a federal perspective, we are making important investments and contributions to health care in Canada, while respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction.

Most notably, the Government of Canada continues to support the health care system financially through the Canada Health Transfer.  We have significantly increased transfers to the provinces and territories for health care, putting them on a long term growth track that is both sustainable and responsible. 

Federal funding for health care will continue to grow from a record level of $27 billion in 2011-12 to approximately $40 billion by the end of the decade.

This funding supports provinces and territories in their delivery of health care, and gives them flexibility to invest in their priorities, and undertake reforms that will make the most difference  for their residents.

Research & Information

Federal action on health doesn't stop at annual transfers though.

At the federal level we continue to make targeted investments in priority areas that will help provinces and territories deliver even better results to Canadians. 

We have made significant investments to help improve the number of qualified health care professionals across the country. 

We're supporting the training of more than 100 family physicians to serve rural and remote communities,  and helping more internationally educated health professionals join the health workforce.

Last week, our Government announced the opportunity for family doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners in rural communities to receive Canada Student Loan forgiveness starting in spring 2013.

These are real federal investments, and real federal policy changes under our government to spur on better healthcare. 

And it doesn't stop there.

We believe there is a clear role for the Government of Canada to play in health innovation and research.

That's why, each year, we invest over $1 billion through the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (or C-I-H-R), Canada Health Infoway and other programs linked to research and innovation that help address health care challenges.

The federal government is the single largest contributor to health research in Canada, but our involvement is about much more than just money. It's also about providing leadership, working together and getting results for Canadians. 

CIHR is an excellent example of federal funding at work.

In 2011, it earmarked $20 million for a large-scale, community-based primary care research initiative.  This funding has since grown to $35 million with the involvement of provincial, territorial and international partners.  This research focuses on  helping prevent and manage chronic diseases and support better health care access for vulnerable populations.

The CIHR Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research -- announced at last year's General Council -- works to ensure the right patient receives the right treatment at the right time.  

I know the serious health challenges faced by individuals, families and communities in Northern Canada. I'm also aware of the challenges facing First Nations throughout the rest of Canada. As Sir Michael Marmot's presentation will reinforce, the current Aboriginal health gap is unacceptable.

That's why I was proud to announce on National Aboriginal Day the Pathways to Aboriginal Health Equity initiative, launched through CIHR.

Researchers will work collaboratively and respectfully with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities to tackle challenges such as suicide prevention, tuberculosis, obesity and oral health.

Just as important as these health investments will be our government's longer-term investments in aboriginal education, and helping create economic development opportunities in the North.

We are playing a leadership role nationally when it comes to national issues like cancer, diabetes, and food safety.

We welcomed the recommendations of the Mental Health Commission of Canada this spring, which is a strategic plan that each of us should take notice of as we make decisions in the years to come about mental health services and treatment.

On the international scene, I was particularly proud that Canada showed leadership when it comes to HIV/AIDS, and for the first time, helped bring the issue of Aboriginal AIDS to the main session of the International AIDS conference. 

On the topic of AIDS in the aboriginal community, I want to say how pleased I am that the CMA has partnered with organizations like the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network and the Canadian HIV Trials Network to produce timely and relevant online CME training.

I hope many of you have or will take the opportunity to take advantage of this great resource, and enhance your knowledge on the unique challenges facing aboriginal populations in Canada when it comes to HIV/AIDS.

When it comes to healthy living, as you know, Canada is facing an epidemic of childhood obesity. Today, more than one-in-four young Canadians are overweight or obese, with rates even higher among Aboriginals. I am pleased that Health Ministers endorsed a framework for action to address this. 

Recently, we held a Summit on Healthy Weights - another milestone to move us forward in creating lasting change for children and their families. By playing a leadership role and bringing together different sectors, we may see some creative initiatives roll out in the months ahead.

I share all of this in the hope that as you discuss the federal role in healthcare, that it be an informed discussion that puts forward constructive suggestions and recommendations.

 As doctors, you have valuable insight gained from front-line service to Canadians.  Your views on how to improve and better focus programs within the Health portfolio are very much welcome.

I'll close with this, before taking your questions:

Financial investments in healthcare are at an all-time high.  But obviously there is still room for improvement in the health outcomes of Canadians.

Canadians expect results for these investments, and our government agrees that accountability is key.

In June, our government announced a significant investment in the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

This funding - totalling almost $239 million -- will allow CIHI to build on its excellent work of providing reliable, nationally comparable data on more aspects of the health system and the health of Canadians.  Such information is especially important as governments take innovative approaches to make system improvements.

Good public health involves all levels of government and sectors of society -- but Canadians also need to do their part by making healthy choices that support their own health.

Measuring results matter, because the health of Canadians matters.

All of us in this room play key roles in improving healthcare and helping Canadians have the tools they need for good health.

But we all have unique roles to play.

I hope that starting today and looking towards the future, we can work together as partners.

Thank you.

During her address to the 145th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Medical Association in Yellowknife, NWT, Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq emphasized the federal government's commitment to provide long-term predictable and sustainable funding to provinces and territories.

Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq indicated federal funding through the Health Care Transfer will grow to record levels, from $27 billion in 2011–12 to at least $38 billion by 2018–19.