Canada’s doctors and nurses respond to the Council of the Federation’s announcement

OTTAWA, Jan. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) commend the Council of the Federation on their approach for a pan-Canadian dialogue on the future of the health care system. We are pleased that the Council of the Federation will consult with health care providers in their health care innovation working group in order to transform our publicly-funded health care system. Canada's doctors and nurses have offered assistance to governments as they undertake negotiations on the future of health care. We look forward to better understanding the roles and mandate of this initiative. We offer our joint CMA/CNA Principles to the Council as key foundational elements for advancing health care transformation.

The Canadian Nurses Association is the national professional voice of registered nurses in Canada. A federation of 11 provincial and territorial nursing associations and colleges representing 143,843 registered nurses, CNA advances the practice and profession of nursing to improve health outcomes and strengthen Canada's publicly funded, not-for-profit health system.

The Canadian Medical Association is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, CMA's mission is to serve and unite the physicians of Canada and be the national advocate, in partnership with the people of Canada, for the highest standards of health and health care. The CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing over 74,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 51 national medical organizations.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Kate Headley, External Communications Coordinator
Canadian Nurses Association
Telephone: [phone], ext. 561
Cell: 613-697-7507
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.cna-aiic.ca

Lucie Boileau, Manager, Media Relations 
Canadian Medical Association
Tel: [phone] ext. 1266
Cell: 613-447-0866
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.cma.ca