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The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, and Xavier
Bertrand, France's Minister of Health and Solidarity, today signed a
Joint Declaration of Intent that outlines mutual work the two countries
plan to undertake in the next four years in key areas such as pandemic
influenza preparedness and the strengthening of their health care systems.
" The governments of Canada and France have a long-standing
relationship of collaboration in many areas, including the area of
health. The relationship
benefits both of our nations," Minister Clement said.
" Our
meeting today has given us a good opportunity to further this collaboration
in key areas by agreeing to share expertise and experience, as we seek
improved health outcomes for our populations."
The two Ministers met in Toronto during the XVI International AIDS
Conference. A key area of co-operation within the Joint Declaration
of Intent includes initiatives related to HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted
infections, hepatitis B/C, tuberculosis as well as sexual and reproductive
health, particularly as they affect vulnerable populations. The presence
of the French minister in Toronto is a testament to France's long-standing
commitment to the world fight against AIDS.
" The signature of this partnership agreement is a continuation
of the dialogue that began with the visits to Paris of the Honourable
Tony Clement, and the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, and
formalizes our previous commitments,"
Minister Bertrand said.
" It
will allow us to mutually strengthen our respective health policies,
and at the same time bring together the French and Canadian efforts
to address some of the great public health care issues of the world."
The Joint Declaration of Intent will allow Canada and France to benefit
from their experiences in information and communications technologies
as they relate to e-health and telehealth. Both countries will exchange
best practices in the fields of wait time management, access to pharmaceuticals,
and human resource planning. France and Canada have also identified
potential areas of future cooperation: physical activity, cancer, management
of chronic diseases, and the advancement of progress on mental health
and mental illness.
Preparedness for a possible influenza pandemic is another key area
of cooperation outlined in the Declaration. Both countries have agreed
to exchange information on the preparation and implementation of their
preparedness and response plans, in support of the outcomes of the
Ottawa Statement on Global Pandemic Influenza Readiness adopted in
October 2005.
The two countries, as member states of the World Health Organization,
also agreed to work toward a common understanding on implementation
of the new International Health Regulations in both countries. Canada
has played an active role in the revision of these regulations, to
help countries worldwide deal with international public health emergencies.
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