Minister Aglukkaq Welcomes International Circumpolar Health Experts to Canada

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Jul 12 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, yesterday welcomed
more than 750 health professionals, researchers and indigenous
representatives from across the world to the 14th International Congress
on Circumpolar Health (ICCH-14) in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

"It is a privilege for Canada to host an international congress dedicated
solely to the health and wellness of Northern peoples. We welcome all
participants and look forward to sharing research and program successes
related to circumpolar health," said Minister Aglukkaq. "Our Government
recognizes the importance of the North. Through Canada's Economic Action
Plan and our Northern Strategy, we have taken significant steps towards
helping this critical region flourish."

The ICCH, which is held every three years, is the primary venue for
sharing academic research and best practices on issues relating to
circumpolar health. Participants, which include Canada, Greenland,
Denmark, USA, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland, will study
the challenges faced by circumpolar health professionals and the
successes of northern-based health care.

Those living in the North face many unique health challenges. Obtaining
health care can be difficult in isolated communities where there are few
nurses and even fewer doctors. Pollution created by southern cities
collects and settles in the North, contaminating the environment and also
the animals that those in the North rely on for food. Climate change also
has an impact on circumpolar health, as warming temperatures have a
dramatic effect on the physical environment in which Northerners live.

The ICCH takes place at the conclusion of the current International Polar
Year (IPY), a research initiative that occurs only twice a century.
Research accomplished during the IPY (2007-2009), which focused on health
and environmental issues in the circumpolar world, will be presented at
the Congress and participants will focus on how to follow up on specific
elements of this research. Canada was instrumental in ensuring that the
current IPY studied the people of the North along with fish, ice and sea
mammals in the region.

"Canada is committed to becoming a world leader in Northern and Arctic
research," said Minister Aglukkaq. "The work of this Congress will
provide exciting challenges and opportunities for the new and upgraded
Northern research facilities we are putting in place."

Recent Government of Canada funding to support Northern research
initiatives includes:

- $156 million to support Canadian participation in International Polar
Year;

- $85 million over two years to maintain or upgrade key existing Arctic
Research Facilities (Budget 2009); and,

- $2 million for a feasibility study for a proposed High Arctic research
station (Budget 2009)

As part of Canada's recent Economic Action Plan (Budget 2009), the
Government of Canada is also investing $305 million over two years to
improve social conditions and health outcomes for Northerners; $200
million over two years for the renovation and construction of new housing
units in the North; $50 million over five years for the creation of a
Northern development agency; $90 million over five years for the renewal
of the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development program;
and $37.6 million to support initiatives related to the proposed
Mackenzie Gas Project.

Health Canada news releases are available on the Internet
at

www.healthcanada.gc.ca/media

Egalement disponible en
franA-A?1/2ais

Contacts:
Media Inquiries:
Health Canada
613-957-2983

Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
Josee Bellemare
613-957-0200

Public Inquiries:
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709

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