Devices continue to be installed across the country
March 17, 2015 - North Saanich, BC - Public Health Agency of Canada
Following an event yesterday in North Vancouver to highlight the recent installation of several Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in a local arena in that city, Parliamentary Secretary, Cathy McLeod, on behalf of the Minister of Health, Rona Ambrose, joined Mark Collison, Director, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations for North Saanich at the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) on-site at the Panorama Recreation Centre in North Saanich, BC to note AEDs installed in that facility.
PS McLeod congratulated the recreation centre for their dedication to the health and safety of Canadians and for helping expand the availability of AEDs. The recreation centres' AEDs were installed as part of the National AED initiative, a partnership between the Public Health Agency of Canada and the HSF to have these life-saving devices in recreational hockey arenas across the country.
To date, over 1,600 AEDs have been put in place in recreational arenas in Canada through the National initiative, and over 12,000 people have been trained on how to properly use them. The goal is to have 2,000 of these life saving devices installed in recreational hockey arenas across the country by the end of the program in March 2016, and we are already 80% of the way there.
Having an AED accessible for all users in arenas and recreational facilities where moderate to high physical activity takes place can mean the difference between life and death in the event of a cardiac arrest. In fact, three lives have already been saved, two in Ontario and one in British Columbia, using AEDs installed as part of this initiative.
Any recreational arena in Canada can apply for an AED through the National AED initiative by visiting the HSF website. Once all arenas are equipped, funding may be available for AEDs to be installed in other high-traffic non-arena based recreational facilities.
"Recreational facilities are often the center of community activity across our country. Not only do they host a variety of sporting activities, but also community events like town halls and trade shows. The installation of AEDs in these facilities, as well as in rural and remote, First Nations, Inuit and Métis, community locations will benefit all those who use them. The Government of Canada is proud to work with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and its partners to support the installation of these life-saving devices."
Cathy McLeod
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
"Across Canada, close to 40,000 cardiac arrests happen every year. Arenas, rinks and other recreational facilities can be hot spots for cardiac arrests. If an AED and CPR are used quickly, the chance of survival doubles. That's why this initiative is so important; it puts lifesaving AEDs in places where they can save lives."
Mike Hoffman
Manager, National AED Programs for the Heart and Stroke Foundation
(March 17, 2015) Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Cathy McLeod,and Mark Collison, Director, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations for North Saanich at the Heart and Stroke Foundation participate in a demonstration of an Automated External Defibrillator at the Panorama Recreation Centre in North Saanich, BC, with help from Mike Hoffman of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
(March 17, 2015) Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Cathy McLeod highlights the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at the Panorama Recreation Centre in North Saanich, BC.
Michael Bolkenius
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 957-2983
