I welcome this interim report from the Wait Time Alliance (WTA). Canadians tell us wait times are the number one health
issue facing the country and I am pleased to see a coordinated effort by the Canadian Medical Association and specialists in
the five priority areas to improve timely access to quality health care services and procedures.
I am pleased that the First Ministers' commitment to reduce wait times and improve access is mobilizing work across the
country, as evidenced by this report and others.
The factors influencing wait lists are enormously complex and involve the interplay of technology, demographics, capacity and
productivity.
While there are no quick fixes or magic bullets, the Wait Times Alliance tells us we need a pan-Canadian approach led by
federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Health. I agree. This is what Canadians want and expect if we are to tackle
this problem successfully and within the time frames established by First Ministers. The work of the Alliance will assist our
efforts in meeting the target of December 31, 2005, for the establishment of evidence-based, pan-Canadian benchmarks in
priority areas.
I also agree that we need to continue to learn from the Canadian and International experience on best practices, as well as
collect better data to measure more accurately progress made in this area. That's why Budget 2005 provides $15 million over 4
years in direct federal funding for wait times initiatives. This investment will support relevant research on
patient/provider education, the sharing of best practices and, the facilitation of input on wait time issues from a variety
of sources, including decision makers, providers and patients.
This is in addition to the $5.5 billion Wait Times Reduction Fund that is already flowing to provinces and territories to
assist them in reducing wait times. In all, First Ministers committed to stable, predictable and growing funding totalling
$41 billion over 10 years to assist Provinces and Territories in providing health care services.
First Ministers committed to achieve meaningful reductions in wait times in five priority areas such as cancer, heart,
diagnostic imaging, joint replacements and sight restoration. I recognize that provinces and territories may have additional
priority areas (e.g. access to emergency and children's mental health services). The 10-Year Plan allows for considerable
jurisdictional flexibility to expand work on wait times reduction to other areas while we continue to aim for establishing
pan-Canadian benchmarks.
In closing, I want to thank the alliance for their significant contribution to the Wait Times agenda and dialogue as well as
their collaborative approach on this issue. I believe that the best way to continue to make timely progress on this number
one priority for Canadians is to continue to work together -- where governments, experts, and stakeholders cooperate to
improve access to the health care services that Canadians require. Furthermore, I am confident that the sustained commitment
and collaboration of all those involved will result in making the First Ministers' vision for improving access and quality
health care services a reality.
Media Inquiries:
Adèle Blanchard
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Health Canada