Harper Government Supports Health Care Innovation in Manitoba

Single-Largest Investor in Canadian Health Innovation

WINNIPEG, July 20, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State for Transport, visited with researchers at University of Manitoba today where he highlighted how federal investments are helping strengthen healthcare across the country. Minister Fletcher joined other members of the Harper Government who made similar visits with health researchers across the country.

"Our Government is proud to support the outstanding health researchers at the University of Manitoba," said Minister Fletcher. "I was delighted to meet these researchers and find out how their work is helping to improve the health of people in Winnipeg and across Canada."

There are more than 10,000 health research projects underway in Canada right now that receive Harper Government funding. Some recent initiatives announced include:

• Pathways to Health Equity for Aboriginal Peoples, in which researchers will partner with aboriginal communities to carry out initiatives linked to suicide reduction and other key health priorities;
• Funding 13 projects to improve the efficiency of front-line healthcare delivery, whose results will be available for provincial and territorial governments to use to strengthen their systems; and
• Funding for a national transplantation research program.

Minister Fletcher met with the following CIHR-supported researchers at the University of Manitoba:

• Dr. Brenda Elias is studying cancer in First Nations communities
• Dr. Patricia Martens is examining how improve child health in Manitoba
• Dr. Jonathan McGavock is investigating the benefit of physical activity for overweight children at risk for type 2 diabetes.

"We are grateful to the Government of Canada through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for their support of these trailblazing health researchers at the University of Manitoba," said Dr. Digvir S. Jayas, Vice-President (Research and International) at the University of Manitoba. "The diverse research conducted by Drs. Elias, Martens and McGavock provides the evidence necessary to make health care improvements for our most vulnerable populations: children, youth and Indigenous peoples."

Federal support for health research primarily flows through its health research investment agency - the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). CIHR supports the best in peer-reviewed health research with the vision of creating a healthier future for Canadians.

"Canadian health researchers across all research disciplines and themes continue to have a significant impact on the country's international scientific excellence and competitiveness," said Dr. Alain Beaudet, President of CIHR. "At CIHR, we prize the many achievements and contributions our researchers make to resolving pressing health challenges and to improving the health outcomes of patients and supporting a robust and sustainable health care system."

Since 2005-06, the Government has invested $131 million in health research in Manitoba through CIHR.

Brayden Akers, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of State (Transport), 613-991-0700
Ran Ukashi, University of Manitoba, Government Relations, 204-474-8633,
David Coulombe, CIHR Media Relations, 613-941-4563

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