2009-07 (July)
Protecting Canadians’ Health
July 22, 2009
While universal health care or medicare has become a hot topic in the United States, Canada moved to a nationally funded program when Parliament passed the Medical Care Act in 1966.
In Canada, while health care is a provincial responsibility, the Federal Government transfers funds to the provinces and territorial governments so that they can operate hospitals and provide health care services to Canadians. But, the Federal Government does a lot more than just send money to the provinces. Under the direction of the Minister of Health, the Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, our Government is working to protect and support the health and safety of Canadians.
Health issues affect us all regardless of age, income, gender or occupation. Recognizing that health and safety are of critical importance to Canadians, the Government has taken action. Just three days into the new parliamentary session, Minister Aglukkaq introduced the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, (Bill C-6).
This proposed legislation (which is in the Senate) would broaden the ability of Government to act more quickly and effectively to keep potentially dangerous products off the shelves of stores in our communities and to take corrective action when problems arise. Once the new Act is passed, the government will work together with industry to enhance consumer product safety.
The Government has also proposed regulatory action to prevent the use of certain chemicals in toys and other products that young children might be exposed to regularly. The proposed regulations to limit the lead content in products such as pacifiers, teethers, baby bottle nipples and drinking cup spouts.
Another initiative that is underway to protect the health of our young people involves amendments to the Tobacco Act. Since most people who smoke regularly started before age 19, we want to try to ensure that some tobacco products are less accessible to young people. Tobacco is not candy and should not be treated as such, so we are moving to halt the practice of adding candy-like flavourings to some tobacco products.
We are also working with provincial partners to reduce drug use among Canadians through the Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund, which supports efforts to prevent substance abuse, especially among our youth.
The Government continues to lead efforts to address the H1N1 flu virus in Canada working closely with provinces, territories, the health care community and international partners. This includes communicating frequently with the public, providing healthcare professionals across the country with updated guidelines, working on vaccine development and delivery, and continuing surveillance of how the virus is progressing.
Canada already has one of the best health-care systems in the world, but we have to maintain that standard by constantly making improvements to protect the health and safety of Canadians.
I hope that you are enjoying the summer. Should you require assistance or for information on federally related matters, please contact my Constituency office, postage free at: #6, 4612 - 50th Street, Ponoka, T4J 1S7, tel: (403) 783-5530; toll free: 1-800-665-0865 or visit my web site: www.blainecalkinsmp.ca
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