We acknowledge that Mr. Gravelle was well intentioned with this Bill. Unfortunately there were a number of areas where it infringed on provincial jurisdiction over healthcare delivery. It also would have required a Royal Recommendation, which raises procedural issues for a Private Member's Bill. Most importantly, our Government is already working cooperatively with provincial and territorial governments on a pan-Canadian Dementia Strategy.
Dementia is a priority for me as Canada's Minister of Health and Budget 2015 committed to a national plan. Dementia was a key focus at the 2014 Health Ministers Meeting, where there was agreement among Ministers to work together on pan-Canadian Dementia Strategy. It would be inappropriate to federally legislate in an area where we already have cooperative work.
In the fall of 2014, Canada released Canada's National Dementia Research and Prevention Plan to tackle the growing burden of dementia and related illnesses by working with provinces and territories, supporting research, sharing best practices, and improving standards of care.
Our Government is also making important contributions through investments - and strategic collaborations and partnerships - in research, prevention and public education that will help people living with dementia, as well as their families and caregivers. Since 2006, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, research investments in dementia have increased by over 67 per cent, totalling approximately $220 million. Last year alone, in Canada, there were almost 400 research projects on dementia.
The Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) is one example of these investments. The CCNA, supported by the Government of Canada through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and partners from the public and private sectors, and provincial governments, brings together over 300 researchers to improve our understanding of dementia to provide the latest preventive, diagnostic and treatment approaches.
Additionally, we are working hand-in-hand with the Alzheimer Society of Canada, who does tremendous work to help Canadians, their families and caregivers living with Alzheimer's. Together we are working to bring a program called Dementia Friends to Canada. Originally launched in Japan and the UK Dementia Friends Canada will help individuals, communities and businesses better understand what it means to live with dementia and how to better support those affected within the community.
Dementia is a significant global public health challenge. No government or country can solve this problem alone, we will continue to work with the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the provincial and territorial governments.
