Speech

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES PILOT PROJECT FOR WAIT TIME GUARANTEES FOR CHILDREN

January 11, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

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Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

It gives me great pleasure to be here at the Hospital for Sick Children to announce a very important health care initiative.

But before I begin, I’d like to acknowledge some special people who are with us today.

the President and CEO here at Sick Kids, Mary Jo Haddad;

The Hospital’s Surgeon-in-Chief, Dr. James Wright;

The Chief of Surgery at British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital, Dr. Geoffrey Blair;

The CEO of the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres, Elaine Orbinne; and

Cathy Seguin, the Vice President of Sick Kids International.

Each of these individuals played a role in developing the project I’m announcing today.

As did our Health Minister Tony Clement, who has been working very hard on this over the past year.

I would also like to recognize the Member of Parliament for Burlington, Mike Wallace, who is here with us today.

Finally I’d like to thank Sick Kids for hosting us.

This is truly one of Canada’s finest health care institutions, a world-renowned facility that has been on the cutting edge of paediatric medicine since its founding in 1875.

Countless numbers of Canadians have benefited from the expertise and compassion of the people who work within these walls.

Indeed, I was one of those beneficiaries myself when I was a child.

Now, as a parent, I know there’s nothing more heart-wrenching than seeing a child suffer.

Because their lives are so precious.

Because they’re our future.

Our children deserve the best medical care possible, delivered as promptly as possible.

Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of our medical professionals, many children do not receive the care they need in a timely manner.

Too often they hear the words that haunt the entire Canadian healthcare system: “Sorry, you’ll just have to wait.”

As a result, children and their parents can find themselves on waiting lists for weeks, even months, which can aggravate their condition, prolong their suffering and, sometimes, end in tragedy.

Our children deserve better, and Canada’s New Government is determined to do better.

Because everywhere I went during the last election, I heard the same concerns.

“Wait times are too long.”

“We’re afraid those we love won’t be able to get the care they need.”

While the problem can’t be fixed overnight, it can be improved over time.

This is precisely what our government has begun to do.

And in less than a year, we’re well on our way.

Today, I’m announcing that our government is taking another step forward by funding a paediatric wait time guarantee pilot project.

Under this 15-month pilot project, the first ever pan-Canadian Wait Times Information System for children will be developed.

The system will assemble accurate data about six key surgical areas.

The next stage of the project will be to develop a treatment plan for children facing unacceptable wait times.

Ultimately, today’s initiative will lead to a surgical wait time guarantee for all children.

There are 16 first-rate children’s hospitals in cities across Canada.

As any parent who has been to one of these facilities can attest, the quality of care is second to none.

But sometimes, even their best isn’t good enough.

Today’s announcement is about providing these children's hospitals with the tools they need to deliver even better care.

Because better care means timelier care.

As I said, improving access to medically necessary services is a longstanding commitment of our government.

And today’s announcement is the fourth patient wait times guarantee pilot project we’ve introduced since taking office.

In less than a year, Minister Clement has made considerable progress.

He and his department are working with the provinces, territories, health professionals, and other stakeholders to ensure that all Canadians receive the treatment they need within clinically acceptable wait times.

Our government recognizes that health care is a provincial jurisdiction.

So our role is not to dictate what to do, but rather to work with the provinces on developing a patient wait time guarantee.

In February, Minister Clement will be hosting a conference with his provincial and territorial colleagues to showcase our progress so far.

I’m pleased to say that all governments are pulling in the same direction.

They all share our commitment to shortening wait times.

Because the health and well-being of Canadians depends on our success.

Thank you.

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The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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