Page 2: Health Canada – 2014–15 – Departmental Performance Report - Minister's Message

Minister's Message

It is a tremendous honour for me to have been named federal Minister of Health.

In the coming weeks and months, the Government will be advancing an ambitious health agenda. My overriding priority is to strengthen our publicly-funded universal health care system and ensure that it adapts to new challenges. To that end, I will be working with my provincial and territorial colleagues to support them in their efforts to make home care more available, prescription drugs more affordable, and mental health care more accessible.

The Government has also pledged a renewed, nation to nation relationship with Canada's Indigenous peoples. Continued progress by the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch to improve health services and develop innovative partnerships with First Nations and Inuit will be important to achieving the Government's pledge.

I will also be asking Health Canada to take important policy and regulatory actions to help Canadians lead healthier lives. This action will include introducing plain packaging for tobacco products; introducing new restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy food and drinks to children; bringing in tougher regulations to eliminate Trans fats and cut salt in processed foods; and improving food labels.

Sound, evidence-based policies will be essential to implementing the Government's agenda.  Health Canada's dedicated scientific and policy experts are respected the world over. I will be looking to them for the high quality advice for which they are known.

The 2014-15 Departmental Performance Report outlines Health Canada's actions last year to help the people of Canada maintain and improve their health. As Minister of Health, I look forward to moving ahead on my key mandate priorities in the coming year, by building a culture of collaboration and evidence-based decision-making that will strengthen health care, improve public health, and result in better health outcomes for all Canadians.

The Honourable Dr. Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Health

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