Building for the Future - Reforming our Health System

Peter Milliken, M.P. and Olympic Gold Medalist Ms. Jayna Hefford. Ms. Hefford, originally from Kingston, was a member of Canada's Women's Hockey Team, who won Gold at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. On April 15,2002, Olympic Athletes were welcomed on Parliament Hill for a reception

In 1996, there were 3.5 million senior citizens in the country. In 2021, there will be 6.9 million. There will also be fewer physicians to care for a greater number of patients.

At the same time, new technologies and promising drugs - against diseases like AIDS and cancer -are making an appearance. These are just some of the new realities facing our health care system. That's why the Government has established the Commission on the Future of Health Care.

This Commission, led by former Saskatchewan Premier Roy Romanow, is calling on interested Canadians to discuss the major directions for health reform. To do this, consultations are taking place from one end of the country to the other.

Provincial authorities, health professionals, national and regional interest groups and all citizens are invited to express their views on the issue.

The final report will be presented to Prime Minister Jean Chretien in November 2002. It will reflect the opinions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

The renewal of our health care system is a priority for the Government. In September 2000, the Government of Canada took an important step on the road to renewing our health care system for the 21st century - an agreement with the provinces on a Health Action Plan. As a result, it is dedicating more than $21 billion to this plan over five years to make sure Canadians have access to high quality health care.

To find out more about the Commission on the Future of Health Care, visit the web site at: www.healthcarecommission.ca