OTTAWA, ONTARIO, October 4, 2012 -- On behalf of the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Ms. Joy Smith, Member of Parliament for Kildonan--St. Paul, Manitoba, and chair of the Standing Committee on Health, today unveiled a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque commemorating Dr. Helen MacMurchy as a person of national historic significance.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to recognize the national historic significance of Dr. Helen MacMurchy because of her work to improve health care and educational services for mothers, infants, and people with disabilities," said Ms. Smith. "Canada's history is a source of pride for all Canadians and today's ceremony is one more example of our government's commitment to recognize significant people, places and events of Canada."
Although Dr. MacMurchy began her medical career in private practice, she had a lasting and meaningful impact on health care in Canada as a public health activist who specialised in women's issues. A leading advocate of public health reforms in Canada in the early years of the 20th century, MacMurchy became the first chief of the federal Department of Health's Division of Child Welfare. In writing the Blue Books, MacMurchy balanced the need to impart important medical advice to Canadian citizens while speaking to the reader in simple and plain language.
"Dr. Helen MacMurchy wrote the first childcare advice literature produced by the Canadian Government," said Minister Kent. "MacMurchy's work represents an important period in our history that led to improvements to medical access which all Canadians continue to enjoy today."
The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada was established in 1919 and is supported by Parks Canada. It advises the Minister of the Environment regarding the national significance of places, persons and events that have marked Canada's history. On behalf of the people of Canada, Parks Canada manages a nationwide network that makes up a rich tapestry of Canada's historical heritage and offers the public opportunities for real and inspiring discoveries.
For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca under Media Room.
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