Pubdate: Sun, 08 Nov 2015
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Kristy Kirkup
Page: 29

NEW HEALTH ACCORD 'HIGH PRIORITY'

OTTAWA - Canada's new health minister Jane Philpott says she plans to 
engage with provincial and territorial counterparts as soon as next 
week as the Liberals set the wheels in motion to establish a new health accord.

Philpott said the agreement is a "high priority" because executing 
other aspects of the Grit platform will depend on developing a strong 
relationship with the provinces and territories.

The 54-year-old physician also said she will attend a health 
ministers meeting scheduled for January.

The Liberals were very critical of the Conservative government's 
decision to allow Canada's health accord - an action plan backed by 
billions of federal dollars to establish shared goals - to expire.

Philpott also faces critical legislative issues in her portfolio 
including a pledge to legalize marijuana.

The government's first step toward the green light for recreational 
pot use involves establishing a provincial, territorial and federal 
task force with public health, substance abuse and public safety experts.

Philpott also noted the Liberals will need to get started quickly to 
accomplish its ambitious mandate.

The second pressing issue will be responding to the Supreme Court of 
Canada's decision on doctor-assisted death.

In February, the country's top court recognized the right of clearly 
consenting adults who endure intolerable physical or mental suffering 
and wish to end their lives to do so with a doctor's help.

Parliament was given one year to deal with the legislation.

Philpott, a mother of four, led an impressive professional career 
before entering the political ring. The MP for the Toronto-area 
riding of Markham-Stouffville spent most of the first decade of her 
medical career in West Africa where she practised general medicine 
and helped establish a training program for village health workers.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom