March 14, 2001
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that the Honourable Sharon Carstairs, Leader of the Government in the Senate, will take on special responsibility for palliative care. Palliative care is a special kind of health care for individuals and families who are living with a life-threatening illness, usually at an advanced stage. Senator Carstairs will assist Health Minister Allan Rock, and support the federal government's keen interest in the development of palliative care by working with provinces, territories and non-governmental organizations, to ensure that palliative care is meeting the needs of Canadian patients, families and care givers.

"Enhancing Canadians’ access to high quality palliative care is essential to meeting our Throne Speech commitment to provide Canadians with good health and quality care," said the Prime Minister. " With her extensive background and experience on this issue, Senator Carstairs is well-qualified to assist Minister Rock in meeting this key health care objective."

Senator Carstairs chaired the subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, whose June 2000 report made important recommendations in respect of palliative care. Senator Carstairs was also member of a Special Senate Committee whose 1995 report, Of Life and Death, also devoted considerable attention to the issue of the availability of palliative care.

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