September 27, 2004
For immediate release

News Release

Minister Carolyn Bennett and Chief Public Health Officer participate in launch of European Public Health Agency

STOCKHOLM - Minister of State Carolyn Bennett (Public Health) and Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada's first-ever Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), participated in the launch today of a new public health agency for the European Union (EU).

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is being established in Stockholm, Sweden, to coordinate the efforts of the 25 EU countries. This new EU agency will provide a structured and systematic approach to the control of communicable diseases and other serious health threats which affect European Union citizens. The ECDC will also mobilise and significantly reinforce the synergies between the existing national centres for disease control

"Canada and the European Union share similar public health systems and challenges and can benefit by cooperating in our efforts against infectious disease outbreaks and threats to our health," Minister Bennett said today at the launch in Stockholm.

The Minister and the CPHO are in Europe to meet with senior public health officials in both Sweden and Finland, including David Bryne, European Commissioner for Health, Sweden's Minister of Public Health and Social Services and Finland's Minister of Social Affairs and Health.

The importance of liaison with other countries and international organizations as an important function in the public health system was highlighted in the report by Dr. David Naylor, Learning from SARS - Renewal of Public Health in Canada.

"We know from experience that disease outbreaks are only a plane ride away," the Minister said. "It is important that we work closely with our international partners to share knowledge, best practices and lessons learned, so that we are prepared to respond to new public health threats."

"This is an excellent opportunity to establish connections with my international counterparts," said Dr. Butler-Jones, appointed last week by the Prime Minister to head up the newly created Public Health Agency of Canada. "By coordinating our efforts internationally, we can have a greater impact on the health challenges we all face.

"Back in Canada, I'll be working closely with the provinces, territories and Chief Medical Officers of Health to enhance our capacity for an effective, coordinated public health system for Canadians."

The new Agency will have a clear mandate to improve the health and safety of Canadians through efforts to prevent chronic disease, like cancer and heart disease, prevent injuries and respond to public health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks.

At the recent First Ministers' Meeting, the Prime Minister, Premiers and Territorial leaders signed a 10-year action plan which recognized that improving public health is a key step toward ensuring the sustainability of health care. One of the key commitments in the accord is to develop a pan-Canadian public health strategy with explicit goals for improving the health of Canadians.

"Sweden and Finland are world leaders in public health," said Minister Bennett. "As Canada works to develop a pan-Canadian public health strategy, I look forward to learning more about public health systems around the world."

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Media Inquiries:
Caroline Bell
Office of the Minister of State (Public Health)
(613) 941-8081