Dear friends,
I hope you enjoy this edition of FYI. Inside, you’ll find
information that I hope is useful including material on the Speech from
the Throne, a Senate report on health care, a legislative update and the
latest palliative care news.
In this Fall’s Speech from the Throne, the federal
government maintained that finding a balance between work and family is
a priority. As part of the Canadian Strategy on End -of-Life Care, the
Liberal government is finding ways to ensure Canadians can provide
compassionate care for gravely ill or dying family members without
putting their incomes or jobs at risk. As Minister with Special
Responsibility for Palliative Care, I am thrilled with this commitment.
I believe end-of-life care is a barometer of the quality of our
health care system and of the values we hold as a nation. It measures
how much we really value the quality of our lives and how much we
respect our fellow citizens. As Minister with Special Responsibility for
Palliative Care, I am dedicated to developing a Canadian strategy for
end-of-life care. I feel that a sea change is occurring in the way that
Canadians and their representatives are understanding end-of-life care.
To me, this means that our everyday needs — whether it be quality
medical care, spiritual care, family support and comfortable living
conditions — do not abate because of illness.
I am proud to serve in a government that views health care as a
service that should encompass the entirety of life – from birth to
living to death. Together, we will continue to build the Canada we want.
Until next time, keep in touch,
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Canadian
Virtual Hospice
Thanks to $500,000 from Western Diversification Canada, the
Canadian Virtual Hospice (CVH) will provide dying patients,
their families, caregivers and health care professionals an
interactive Internet-based network of palliative and
end-of-life support.
Industry Minister Allan Rock and Senator Sharon Carstairs,
Minister Responsible for Palliative Care, announced the
funding in Winnipeg on November 8th.
The CVH will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
and will feature educational resources, bulletin boards and a
chat room so users can interact and exchange information. |
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Canada’s
First Research Chair in Palliative Care
On November 8th, Minister Allan Rock and
Minister Sharon Carstairs announced $1.4 million to support
Canada’s first Research Chair for palliative care.
Dr. Harvey Chochinov, an
internationally-recognized researcher and leader in palliative
care, was named as the first chair. He will work at the
University of Manitoba.
In addition, Dr. Chochinov received $122,000
from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to create a palliative
care research laboratory and research satellite to store and
analyze palliative care databases. The lab will be housed at
CancerCare Manitoba.
"Dr. Chochinov's committment to excellence
and to generating knowledge about palliatve care in Canada is
truly remarkable," said Minister Rock.
The Canada Research Chairs program was
established following Budget 2000. In total, 2,000 research
chairs will be established in Canadian universities between by
2005.
The announcement builds on the Government of
Canada’s Strategy on End-of-Life Care.
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Minister Sharon Carstairs and Minister Allan
Rock congratulate Dr.
Harvey Chochinov, Canada’s
first Research Chair in palliative care. The announcement was
made in Winnipeg November 8. |
The
Canadian Strategy on Palliative and End-of-Life Care
The National Action Planning Workshop on Palliative and End-of-Life
Care — held in Winnipeg last March — was critical in developing a
Canadian Strategy on Palliative and End-of-Life-Care. Since then, the
Secretariat on Palliative and End-of-Life Care has established a
structure to move this agenda forward.
A coordinating group will oversee and coordinate both the independent
and collaborative work of five working groups. They are:
1) Best Practices and Quality Care
2) Public Information and Education
3) Education for Care Providers
4) Research
5) Surveillance
The scope of the working groups' mandates will be consistent with the
recommendations from the March Workshop, as well as the Blueprint for
Action and the Senate Committee Report.
The co-chairs of the working groups have been selected and the
Secretariat is working with them to finalize the members.
For more information on this process please contact: Sandra
St-Germain, Acting Manager of the Health Canada Secretariat on
Palliative and End-of-Life Care (613-957-1051).
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“Together we are Better”
“It is important to recognize that the key to the success
of the Canadian Strategy will be collaboration among
governments, health professionals, voluntary organizations and
communities.
This is a message that I will be taking to business community
members and other community leaders across the country to
increase public awareness of palliative care.
The fact is, palliative care has implications that extend far
beyond the health sector. End-of-life issues directly affect the
lives of not only patients and their immediate families; they
also have a direct bearing on their employers, friends and
communities.
So it is important to talk with private sector employers, for
example, about the importance of providing compassionate leave
and greater flexibility for workers caring for someone
terminally ill.
As individuals or organizations you have an important role to
play. Please let me know what is happening in your area. I would
encourage you to speak to your employers or employees about
palliative care to raise awareness and begin an important
dialogue.”
(Minister Carstairs speaking at the
Provincial Palliative Care Conference,
Charlottetown, P.E.I. October 4, 2002) |
Legislative
Update
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The 37th Parliament promises to be
an active one in the Senate. The Upper Chamber is currently
examining five bills reinstated after the prorogation of
Parliament in September 2002. These include:
Bill C-10 (formerly C-15B) Cruelty to
Animals, a bill to better protect animals from abuse and
neglect and make amendments to firearms legislation.
Bill C-12, (formerly C-54), An Act to
Promote Physical Activity and Sport, currently being studied
by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and
Technology, replaces the 1961 Fitness and Amateur Sport Act,
modernizing Canada’s sport policy.
Bill C-5, the Species at Risk Act, is
being reviewed by the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the
Environment and Natural Resources. The Bill deals with listing,
protecting and recovering endangered species and other species
at risk within federal jurisdiction.
Coming up …
This fall, the Senate will examine a number
of legislative initiatives. The Prime Minister recently
introduced a draft Code of Ethics for Parliamentarians and draft
legislation to create an independent ethics commissioner. A
Senate Committee will study and refine the code and legislation.
The Government has followed through on its
commitment to aboriginal Canadians by introducing Bill C-7, An
Act respecting leadership selection, administration and
accountability of Indian bands and Bill C-6, An Act to
establish the Canadian Center for the Independent Resolution of
First Nations Specific Claims.
These two initiatives will be sent to the
Senate for consideration in the near future. They are currently
at Second Reading in the House of Commons. |
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The Future of Health Care
There is no issue more important to
Canadians than health care. It is truly an expression of
the values we hold as a nation.
That ‘s why the 2002 Speech from the
Throne set out a plan to improve the health of all
Canadians. We will do this by modernizing the health
care system, addressing child poverty and tackling
environmental issues. We will also continue to fund
medical research and innovation.
Over the past few months, two important
studies have been underway on the future of health care in
Canada. I was particularly thrilled with a special chapter
from the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and
Technology report – “The Health of Canadians – The
Federal Role.” -- dedicated to the issue of palliative
and end-of-life care.
After leading consultations over several
months, former Saskatchewan Premier, Roy Romanow, will
present the Royal Commission report on health care to the
Prime Minister in November.
The Prime Minister will meet with First
Ministers in the New Year and Canadians can expect a
comprehensive plan for reform.
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Northern Tour —
Community Solutions
In August, I “hit the road” for two weeks --
touring 11 northern communities, traveling more than 7500 kms and
meeting hundreds of Manitobans along the way. It was all part of the
commitment I made when I became a Cabinet Minister, to visit Manitoba
communities each summer.
I visited five northern communities to get a better
sense of the issues and priorities of the region. Three stops were in
the First Nation communities of Norway House, Nelson House, and Oxford
House. Visits to Thompson and Churchill rounded out my Northern swing.
I was impressed with the innovation and commitment
evident in these communities. Each defined economic goals as a priority.
Whether tourism in Churchill, training and infrastructure in Thompson,
hydro development in Nelson House or employment opportunities in Norway
House and Oxford House — all were focused on the social needs of their
communities.
Health care figured prominently in discussions with
the Chiefs, elders and other members of the community. I toured health
facilities and spoke at length with staff about the challenges of
delivering services. I was pleased to see community-based solutions and
programs designed to meet the complex social and health issues. For
example, “home grown” solutions to address diabetes, prevent teen
pregnancies and support expectant and new mothers strengthen both the
health and capacity of the communities.
I was particularly interested in discussing the
specific challenges of providing palliative care services in northern
and First Nations communities. The depth of commitment and the
creativity shown in the delivery of quality palliative care was
profound. My visit strengthened my resolve to advance initiatives like
the Canadian Virtual Hospice, and other “telehealth” projects, to
improve support and quality care to people in northern communities.
Help For Literacy
In mid-August I traveled to southern Manitoba and the
Parklands to announce funding for literacy projects. I announced
Government of Canada funding of almost $300,000, in total, for literacy
projects in Selkirk, Brandon, Roblin and Portage la Prairie. It’s
through the tireless work of many dedicated volunteers who develop and
deliver programs to children and adults throughout the province.
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A compelling northern landscape
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Minister Carstairs speaks to community members
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MEET THE NEW SENATOR
Senator David Smith
In addition to being a most able and respected lawyer, the Honourable
David Smith has a distinguished record of public service.
When he was appointed last June , Mr. David Smith was Chairman and
Partner of Fraser Milner Casgrain, one of Canada's oldest and largest
law firms.
He also sat in the House of Commons as Member of Parliament for the
riding of Don Valley East and was Minister of State (Small Business and
Tourism) and served on Toronto City Council.
He has sat on the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place and the
boards of the Salvation Army, Toronto General Hospital, Mount Sinai
Hospital and George Brown College. He served as Chairman of the
Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation and as Vice Chairman of the O'Keefe
Centre for the Performing Arts.
Mr. Smith and his wife, Heather, have three children: Alexander,
Kathleen and Laura. He is 61 years of age.
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Guide to Government of Canada
Services for Seniors and their Families
This special guide contains easy-to-read,
valuable information on federal government services for seniors
including health, safety, taxes, volunteer work and the
environment.
It’s free. There are three different ways to
get your copy.
Call: 1 800 O CANADA
Visit: www.canada.gc.ca
Drop by: Any Service Canada
Access Centre |
To get your own copy of the 2002 Speech from the
Throne, check out the Speech From the Throne web site:
http://www.sft-ddt.gc.ca
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I welcome your
comments, questions, or concerns.
Here is how to get in touch
with me:
MAIL:
The Honourable Sharon Carstairs
Room 275-S Center Block
The Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A4
PHONE:
(613)-947-7123
or
1-800-267-7362
FAX:
(613)-947-7125
E-MAIL:
carstairs@sen.parl.gc.ca
WWW Site:
http://sen.parl.gc.ca/scarstairs/
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