Investing in Innovation Pipeline Essential for Health & Wealth of Canadians

OTTAWA, March 29, 2012 /CNW/ - The Association of Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations (ACAHO) is pleased to see that Budget 2012 clearly identifies the power and potential of world-class research and innovation as a key driver of Canada's long-term prosperity and overall quality of life.

Recognizing current economic realities, Budget 2012 contains a number of important measures which focus on strengthening the role of the private sector in driving innovation and future prosperity.  While these initiatives are crucial to our longer-term competitiveness, we must ensure that we have the right mix of policies, programs and private, public and charitable investments that are strategically aligned to fully leverage our research from bench to bedside to business.

ACAHO welcomes the federal government's funding of $15 million for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Strategy on Patient-Oriented Research; $60 million for Genome Canada; $500 million for the Canada Foundation for Innovation; $5.2 million for mental health research; $17 million for medical isotopes; and $40 million for CANARIE; we also look forward to future growth in the level of grant funding for CIHR and indirect costs.

"Investments in basic research and knowledge creation go hand-in-hand with bringing innovative products and services to the marketplace, one cannot exist without the other", said Ms. Chris Power, ACAHO Board Chair, and President & CEO of Capital District Health Authority in Halifax.  As much as innovation underpins our standard of living, it also plays a crucial role in "bending the cost curve" and providing Canadians with an uncompromising experience when receiving quality health services.

In presenting the federal government's fiscal framework for health care for the provinces and territories, ACAHO would note that there is an important collaborative and facilitative role the government can continue to play - particularly when it comes to research & innovation - to improve system performance and the health of all Canadians.

Innovation is our future, our future in now…we look forward to continuing to work closely with the federal government to ensure that we reap the full rewards that come from a fully functioning health research & innovation system.

Members of ACAHO are leaders of innovative and transformational organizations that serve a unique and essential role in the system: they educate the next generation of health care professionals, advance leading-edge innovative practices through health research, and provide much of the specialized health care services to Canadians.

Media Contact:  Beatrice Keleher Raffoul, Vice-President, Public Affairs
Telephone: [phone] ext 323, Cell Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]

ACAHO Vision
To advance patient care and the health & well-being of Canadians through research discovery and innovation.

ACAHO Mission 
To create an environment in which research discovery, innovation and learning benefit patients, populations, health systems and the economy.