Canada affirms its commitment to global health priorities at G7 Health Ministers’ Meeting

Minister Petitpas Taylor promotes empowering women and girls and addressing the health impacts of climate change and antimicrobial resistance at G7 talks in Italy

November 6, 2017 - Ottawa - Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to working with G7 countries to strengthen collaboration on shared health priorities to maintain and improve the health and safety of Canadians and all citizens of the world.

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, and Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, participated in a meeting of G7 Health Ministers in Milan, Italy, on November 5 and 6, 2017. Discussions focused on three key themes: the impact of climate and environmental factors on health, women’s and adolescents’ health, and antimicrobial resistance.

Discussions on the impact of climate and environmental factors on health included technical presentations from international organizations including the World Health Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss important issues including the need to build resilient health systems and to focus on vulnerable and marginalized populations.

Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is a priority for the Government of Canada. The Minister reaffirmed Canada’s support for advancing women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health and nutrition, as a matter of gender equality and human rights. 

G7 Health Ministers agreed on the need for continued and sustained political action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Over the past two days, health ministers discussed prioritizing action on AMR, implementing national action plans, and contributing to surveillance and research. Canada is committed to the concerted, multi-sectoral efforts that are required to address antimicrobial resistance.

Minister Petitpas Taylor also held one-on-one bilateral meetings with representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Japan and Germany to build on established and ongoing relationships and collaborative efforts.

The meeting concluded with the release of a communiqué outlining priority areas for action.

Quotes

“I am pleased to have had this opportunity to meet with my G7 colleagues. I have been an advocate for the health and welfare of women and girls throughout my career. I believe that health ministers in the G7 have an important role to play in ensuring that our health and nutrition policies, advocacy initiatives, and programs empower women, children and adolescents. I look forward to continuing this collaborative work with Canada’s G7 partners.”

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health

“Public health challenges are complex and trans-national. Canada and its G7 partners understand the importance of addressing public health through international cooperation and coordination.”

Dr. Theresa Tam
Chief Public Health Officer

Quick Facts

• The Group of Seven (G7) comprises seven of the world’s advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
• The G7 dates back to the mid-1970s. The G7 presidency, which rotates annually between member countries, sets the agenda for the year in consultation with G7 partners. Italy holds the presidency in 2017, and Canada will hold it in 2018.
• Italy will host the first G7 Ministerial Meeting on Gender Equality on November 15-16, 2017.
• Released in September, Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use: A Pan-Canadian Framework for Action was developed jointly with the provinces and territories and other key partners in the human and animal health sectors to guide collective action in tackling antimicrobial resistance in Canada. Canada and its partners are now working to develop an Action Plan with concrete deliverables, measurable outcomes and timeframes.
• Canadian governments, businesses, NGOs, academic researchers, professional associations, Indigenous groups and youth organizations are working together to ensure that our children and grandchildren will have cleaner air and a healthier environment and that they will live in more resilient communities with capacities to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
• In 2018, Canada will chair the G7, providing an opportunity to showcase efforts to advance gender equality, promote respect for diversity and inclusion, and fight climate change, including addressing its wide-ranging impacts on health.

Contacts

Yves-Alexandre Comeau
Office of Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Media Relations
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada
613-957-2983

Public Inquiries
613-957-2991
1-866 225-0709