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Canadians expect their governments to provide a health system that meets their needs and that delivers results effectively and efficiently. In addition to ensuring that it meets specific federal responsibilities, such as certain health services for federal employees and during international events held in Canada, Health Canada works with provincial and territorial governments as well as health
organizations and other stakeholder groups to address the health priorities of all Canadians, including for specific groups such as official language minority communities. Policy research and development, funding to independent organizations such as the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Canada Health
Infoway, and the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, support and funding to test innovations in health service delivery and monitoring of provincial and territorial application of the Canada Health Act all lead to continuing improvement in Canada's
health system.
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
302.8 | 270.7 | 270.8 | 321 | 321 | 321 | |
The decrease in planned spending is primarily associated with the sunsetting of some programs. There is only a small salary component therefore the Full-time Equivalents remains constant. |
The goal of this program activity is to provide strategic policy advice, research and analysis, and program support to provinces and territories, partners and stakeholders on health care system issues. Mindful of long-term equity, sustainability and affordability considerations, Health Canada collaborates and targets its efforts with provinces and territories, national and international organizations, health care providers, professional associations, other key stakeholders and Canadians in order to support improvements to the health care system, such as improved access, quality and integration of health care services. These targeted efforts are in place to better meet the health needs of Canadians, wherever they live or whatever their financial circumstances. Moreover, ensuring that provinces and territories are provided with advice and recommendations based on analyses, assists with compliance to the conditions of the Canada Health Act to qualify for full health care funding. Focusing on emerging health issues, such as assisted human reproduction and nanotechnology enables Health Canada to strategically position itself as a proactive organization, and targeted grants and contribution funding to support international health partnerships helps to ensure Health Canada is an active player in tackling global health issues.
Benefits for Canadians: This program activity ensures Canadians' benefit from a health system that is constantly getting and putting to work new information from Canadian and international sources that can improve access, quality and integration of health care services, as well as deal with emerging health issues.
Program Activity Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
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Acts as a catalyst to address current and emerging health issues and priorities |
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Increased adoption of new approaches, models and best practices in health care system |
Planning Highlights
In support of promoting health system innovation, we will continue to work with provinces and territories and other health care partners on health system sustainability, including measures to improve access to physicians, nurses and other health care providers for Canadians. As well, we will work closely with a number of stakeholders to continue improving health system efficiency and effectiveness. Over the reporting period, we expect:
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
23.6 | 23.4 | 23.4 | 300 | 300 | 300 |
These specialized health services ensure continuity of services and occupational health services to public servants and work to ensure that Health Canada is prepared and able to continue services in the event of a national emergency. By working pro-actively to reduce the number of workdays lost to illness, Health Canada is promoting a productive public service thereby delivering results to Canadians. This Program Activity also ensures that Health Canada works internally and with partners to ensure that Health Canada has preparedness plans that are ready for execution in the event of a national emergency. By ensuring that organizations have plans in place that take into account all facets of their legislated responsibilities helps Health Canada continue to deliver services to Canadians at a time that it will be most needed. This includes coordination with other members of the Health Portfolio as well as partners across the Government of Canada. As part of this work Health Canada provides health services to internationally protected person when they are visiting Canada for international events such as the Olympics, G8/G20 meetings and Royal visits. Together, these specialized health services work to ensure continuity of services and capacity in day to day operations but as well as extraordinary and unpredictable circumstances such as a national emergency or disease outbreaks such as H1N1.
Benefits for Canadians: This program activity ensures the readiness of health services to respond to major domestic emergencies and international events in Canada, as well as providing occupational health services to members of the federal public service.
Program Activity Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|---|
Timely system response to public service employees with psycho-social health problems |
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70% (represents the current Industry standard) |
Coordinated, effective emergency response |
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The Emergency Preparedness and Response are defined in the Health Portfolio Emergency Response Plan, which was signed in January 2010. After an event, an After-Action Report is developed in consultation with all parties involved in responding to the emergency to assess the response and deficiencies/gaps. The gaps/deficiencies are addressed in an Annex to the HPERP in preparation for a future event. |
Planning Highlights
Health Canada will address emergency preparedness and response issues and will take part in emergency management activities to provide health protection of Internationally Protected Persons visiting Canada in 2011-2012 through regular visits or international events.
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
39.3 | 40.0 | 23.8 | 12 | 12 | 10 | |
The decrease in planned spending is primarily associated with the sunsetting of some programs. There is only a small salary component therefore the Full-time Equivalents remains constant. |
Official language minority community development involves the administration of Health Canada's responsibilities under Section 41 of the Official Languages Act committing the federal government to enhancing the vitality of English-speaking and French-speaking minority communities as well as fostering the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society and the provision of policy and program advice relating to the Act. Administration involves consulting with Canada's official language minority communities on a regular basis, supporting and enabling the delivery of contribution programs and services for official language minority communities, reporting to Parliament and Canadians on Health Canada's achievements under Section 41, and coordinating Health Canada's activities and awareness in engaging and responding to the health needs of official language minority communities.
Benefits for Canadians: This program activity benefits Canadians by improving access to health services for two million English and French-speaking Canadians in a minority situation in Canada and by increasing the number of health services providers able to respond to the health related needs of these Canadians in their own official language.
Program Activity Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
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Increased number of health professionals available to provide health services in OLMCs; |
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1406 graduates over five years; English: Second language training about 8000 people over five years (by March 31, 2013) |
Improved integration of OLMC health needs into the health system |
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Presence of an integration plan for each area where there is a network and reports on the implementation and results achieved (by March 31, 2013.) |
Planning Highlights
Health Canada is responsive to the needs of Canadians through improved access to health services for official language minority communities and in increasing the use of both official languages in the provision of health services. Funded initiatives include the training of health professionals in French in 11 post-secondary training institutions outside Quebec and their integration into French linguistic minority communities upon graduation, and post-secondary language training initiatives in Quebec to ensure that health professionals in that province can meet the health services requirements of English-speaking minority communities.
In 2011-2012, Health Canada will:
This strategic outcome seeks to ensure that the food that Canadians eat and products they use are as safe as possible, and that threats to health are addressed effectively. It helps increase Canadians' understanding of factors that influence everyone's health such as environmental conditions and nutritition. It helps to limit the use and abuse of tobacco and illicit drugs.
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
168.3 | 155.8 | 156.0 | 2,292 | 2,259 | 2,305 |
This program activity is responsible for regulating a broad range of health products that affect the everyday lives of Canadians. Under the authority of the Food and Drugs Actand its Regulations, and the Department of Health Act, the program activity evaluates and monitors the safety, quality and efficacy of human and veterinary, biologic and genetic therapies, radio-pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and natural health products so that Canadians have access to safe and effective health products. This program activity also verifies, through compliance monitoring and enforcement activities, that regulatory requirements for health products are met. In addition, the program provides timely, evidence-based and authoritative information to key stakeholders including, but not limited to, health care professionals such as physicians, pharmacists, natural health practitioners and members of the public to enable them to make informed decisions about the use of health products.
Benefits for Canadians: This program activity benefits Canadians by ensuring that they have access to new health products and that those products are as safe as possible throughout the time they are available in the Canadian market. It provides for prompt responses when potential problems emerge. It also seeks to support Canadians in making informed health product choices.
Program Activity Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
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Increased awareness of the benefits and risks associated with the use of health products. |
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TBD |
Timely regulatory decisions for health products |
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Pharmaceuticals - human - 90% |
Timely regulatory decisions for health products |
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INSP - TBD MHPD - 90% completed |
Planning Highlights
In addition to the program activity's ongoing work, Health Canada will work to make regulatory and operational changes as needed for ongoing health products activities as directed by parliament. As well, there will be substantial work undertaken to support implementing the Cost Recovery Initiative for human drugs and medical devices regulatory programs that was approved by Parliament in May of 2010.
Recognizing that foreign regulatory information can and has contributed to the Canadian marketing authorization review processes, Health Canada is currently implementing a three-year plan to make more efficient, consistent and systematic use and integration of foreign regulatory information, including foreign reviews, into departmental marketing authorization review processes for health products. The three-year plan includes the development and implementation of six mechanisms/worksharing activities, including use of foreign reviews, enhanced participation in foreign regulatory scientific committees, scientific advice, inter-regulatory discussion groups, parallel and joint reviews. The department is continuing discussions with foreign regulatory counterparts in order to develop and implement these mechanisms.
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
57.8 | 54.8 | 54.7 | 537 | 521 | 529 |
The Food Safety and Nutrition program activity establishes policies, regulations and standards related to the safety and nutritional quality of food. Food safety standards are enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the program activity assesses the effectiveness of CFIA's activities related to food safety. The legislative framework for food is found in the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act and the Department of Health Act. The program activity also promotes the nutritional health and well-being of Canadians by collaboratively defining, promoting and implementing evidence-based nutrition policies and standards. As the focal point and authoritative source for nutrition and healthy eating policy and promotion, the program activity disseminates timely, evidence-based and authoritative information to Canadians and stakeholders to enable them to make informed decisions and healthy choices.
Benefits for Canadians: This program activity provides Canadians the opportunity to gain the health benefits that come from making better-informed choices about eating, food safety and nutrition and ensures that they benefit from a strong food safety system.
Program Activity Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|---|
Improved healthy eating by Canadians |
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20% increase from current value (42% of Canadians aged 18 and older reported that they consumed fruits and vegetables five or more times a day) by March 31, 2015. |
Timely regulatory system response to nutritional risks and food safety risks |
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100% of HRAs at CFIA's request within time standards by March 31, 2013 |
Increased awareness of Canadians on the benefits and risks related to food safety, nutrition and healthy eating. |
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For food safety awareness, as described in the 'Survey of Canadians' knowledge & behaviour related to Food Safety' conducted in February 2010. |
Planning Highlights
This program activity will continue to be devoted largely to ongoing activities designed to address the food and nutrition concerns of Canadians within Health Canada's mandate. Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Health adopted an interim sodium intake goal of a population average of 2300 mg of sodium per day by the year 2016. Health Canada will work with provinces and territories to increase Canadians' awareness and understanding of the importance of reducing sodium in their diet and to develop education resources in support of the Sodium Reduction Strategy. Emphasis will be placed on providing guidance to industry stakeholders on the implementation of sodium reduction targets, monitoring and evaluating the progress in reducing sodium in the food supply, and ensuring that the progress in reducing trans fats in foods continues.
In September 2010, Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers of Health recognised that healthy eating from an early age is an important part of preventing childhood and adult obesity prevention and endorsed (except Quebec*) a report Curbing Childhood Obesity A Federal, Provincial and Territorial Framework for Action to Promote Healthy Weights. Health Canada is working collaboratively with the Public Health Agency of Canada and the provinces and territories through the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Pan-Canadian Public Health Network to advance key policy priorities. These priorities include increasing the accessibility and availability of nutritious foods and decreasing the marketing to children of foods and beverages high in fat, sugar and/or sodium. Health Canada is also supporting a Federal, Provincial, Territorial Group on Nutrition that is exploring opportunities to improve consistency of school food guidelines/policy across the country and enhancing implementation efforts.
The promotion of healthy eating will also continue, through raising awareness of Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide and helping consumers to better understand and use the information in the Nutrition Facts Table to make informed food choices for themselves and their families.
*Although Quebec shares the general goals of the Framework, it was not involved in developing it and does not subscribe to a Canada-wide strategy in this area. Quebec intends to remain solely responsible for developing and implementing programs for promoting healthy living within its territory. However, Quebec does intend to continue exchanging information and expertise with other governments in Canada.
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
48.1 | 47.8 | 47.8 | 544 | 541 | 541 |
The environment continues to be a key determinant of health for all Canadians. This program activity aims to promote and protect the health of Canadians by identifying, assessing and managing health risks posed by environmental factors. The scope of activities includes: research on climate change, air quality, drinking water quality, chemical substances, and contaminated sites; clean air programming and regulatory activities; risk assessment and management of chemical substances, products of biotechnology and products of other new and emerging technologies (including nanotechnology); and working with the passenger conveyance industry to protect the health of the travelling public.
Benefits for Canadians: This program activity benefits Canadians through progress toward a healthier environment with reduced threats to their health.
Program Activity Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|---|
Threats to the health of Canadians posed by environmental risks are reduced. |
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Baseline for air quality and health benefit improvements to be set in 2013-2014. Following that, air quality and health benefit improvements will be reported every three years, by percentage change over the period |
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A minimum of 5 new communities adopt and implement a heat alert and response system to address the health risks from climate change over 5 year period. | |
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To be established based on baseline to be set after release of cycle 1 in 2010. |
Performance Indicators | Targets |
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*Percentage decrease of concentrations of selected substances (PFOS and PBDE) in water from baseline data Levels of exposure to substances of concern by substance *Canadian releases of selected controlled substances |
Reduce risks to Canadians and impacts on the environment posed by harmful substances as a result of decreased environmental concentrations and human exposure to such substances. |
Health-based water guidelines (# of water guidelines/guidance documents approved by F/P/T Committee by product type (guideline/guidance document) | Help protect the health of Canadians by developing health-based water guidelines |
Health-based assessments of priority indoor air pollutants and associated management tools (# of indoor air and CMP priority indoor pollutant assessments, guidelines, building or product standards) | Help protect the health of Canadians by assessing indoor pollutants and developing guidelines and other tools to better manage indoor air quality |
Note: * indicates indicator data that will be provided by Environment Canada
Planning Highlights
In collaboration with Environment Canada, the Department will continue to focus on the assessment, management and surveillance and monitoring of chemical substances in Canada in order to reduce the health risks associated with harmful chemicals. This includes continuing assessment priority substances under the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP), and planning for risk management actions for those substances assessed as harmful to human health. The department will also continue to provide expert advice and oversight in support of activities to address or minimize the risks to the health of Canadians potentially associated with air pollution and climate change and to further protect the health of Canadians by developing health-based drinking water guidelines. This will help to realize the expected result for this program activity by informing Canadians about and protecting them from the health risks associated with chemical substances and products of biotechnology and emerging technologies.
Through this program activity Health Canada supports the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy by addressing the environmental risks to the health of Canadians in the areas of:
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
28.0 | 29.0 | 29.1 | 246 | 252 | 252 |
Health Canada is committed to promoting the health and safety of Canadians by working to improve the safety of consumer products in the Canadian marketplace. Under the Consumer Products Safety program activity, Health Canada works to identify, assess, manage and communicate to Canadians the health and safety risks associated with consumer products, which are those products that adults and children commonly use for personal (incl. cosmetics), family, household or garden use or in recreation or sports. This is achieved through areas of active prevention, targeted oversight and rapid response.
Specifically, the Consumer Products Safety program activity, through active prevention, works with industry to help identify and systematically assess safety risks at early and ongoing stages of product development, develop standards and share best practices. Also, the program activity promotes awareness of new policy and regulatory activity, and provides guidance to industry on existing regulations through workshops and training. Through targeted oversight, this program activity keeps a close watch on products for which the risks are not yet fully understood or that pose the greatest potential risk to the public. Under rapid response, this program activity can act quickly to protect the public when a problem occurs - including the removal of unsafe consumer products from store shelves.
Benefits for Canadians: Consumer Products Safety (CPS) helps protect Canadian families from consumer products that pose an unreasonable danger by providing rapid enforcement measures and targeted investigations of potentially hazardous products. CPS actively engages with industry to increase awareness of its safety obligations and provides straightforward information to help consumers make informed decisions.
Program Activity Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|---|
Increased consumer/industry awareness of health risks and regulatory requirements related to consumer products |
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To be set after baseline is established by 2011 |
Responsive regulatory system for consumer products |
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Service standards depend on the type of intervention under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA). Data collection for this area would begin 2012-2013 and is dependant on the new CCPSA. |
Improved industry compliance with product safety obligations |
**Compliance is measured by a monitoring approach. Compliance results are determined by monitoring activities following initial inspection. Due to the non-licensed nature of the consumer products industry, compliance verification is limited to primary level establishments at this time |
95% compliance for all product types by March 31, 2014. 100 % of cyclical enforcement projects completed within prescribed timelines |
Planning Highlights
In support of the departmental priority to modernize health protection legislation and programs, the implementation of the new Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) will continue to be of high priority for the Consumer Products Safety program activity. The Act replaces the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) and provides a more robust set of tools for Health Canada to engage in active prevention, targeted oversight and rapid response. The CCPSA provides new measures for the protection of Canadian consumers, including a general prohibition against products that pose an unreasonable danger; the requirement to retain documents pertaining to the sale and distribution of consumer products; and the ability to order noncompliant companies to bring products into compliance with the Act, including the power of mandatory recall. These and other measures will support faster action to protect Canadians from unsafe consumer products, including pulling unsafe consumer products from store shelves.
One of the key planks of the CCPSA is the Mandatory Reporting of serious consumer product incidents by industry. Consumer Product Safety program is preparing to implement critical information systems and to support the collection of incident reports from both consumers and industry alike.
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
139.1 | 132.6 | 109.8 | 432 | 430 | 430 | |
The decrease in planned spending is primarily associated with the sunsetting of some programs. There is only a small salary component therefore the Full-time Equivalents remains constant. |
Through regulatory, programming and educational activities, Health Canada seeks to improve health outcomes by reducing and preventing tobacco consumption and combating alcohol and drug abuse. Through the Tobacco Act and its regulations, Health Canada regulates the manufacture, sale, labelling, and promotion of tobacco products. It also leads the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy - the goal of which is to further reduce the prevalence of smoking through regulatory, programming and educational activities. Through the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and its regulations, Health Canada regulates controlled substances and promotes initiatives that reduce or prevent the harm associated with these substances. It also provides expert advice and drug analysis services to law enforcement agencies across the country.
Benefits for Canadians: This program activity prevents or reduces tobacco consumption and combats drug abuse.
Program Activity Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
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Declining levels of substance use and substance abuse |
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|
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Targets to be set after baseline is established in 2010. | |
Increased compliance/adherence to tobacco acts and regulations, and controlled drugs and substances acts and regulations |
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100% of inspections are compliant with the acts, regulations, or other control instruments by:
Tobacco - by March 31, 2012 |
Planning Highlights
Health Canada will continue to work with the Department of Justice and other partners to implement the National Anti-Drug Strategy (NADS), playing a key role in the areas of treatment and prevention of substance abuse and enforcement of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and supporting regulations. This includes supporting the National Anti-Drug Strategy through the mass media campaign Drugs Not 4 Me.
Under NADS, the Drug Treatment Funding Program will continue to provide funding to provincial and territorial governments for investments in early intervention treatment initiatives designed to reduce and eliminate the progression and severity of illicit drug use behaviour among youth. The Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund will continue to fund health promotion and prevention projects in communities to contribute to reducing illicit drug use among youth. In 2011-12, the Department will participate in NADS renewal, which will be led by Justice Canada.
Health Canada will also continue working with partners, including provinces and territories, to implement the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy to further reduce the prevalence of tobacco use. The Department will continue to enhance the enforcement of provisions of the Cracking Down on Tobacco Marketing Aimed at Youth Act (2009), which brought into effect three new tobacco measures: a ban on certain additives, including flavouring preparations; packaging of little cigars and blunt wraps in a minimum of 20 units; and removal of the exemption for advertising in publications with no less than 85% adult readership. Health Canada will develop regulations to update larger graphic health warning messages as part of the federal government's comprehensive strategy to encourage Canadians to quit smoking.
Health Canada will also examine options for the reform of the Marihuana Medical Access Program, focussing on three key objectives: public health; safety and security; reasonable access to marihuana for medical purposes; and the overall costs to the Government. Any changes to the program will balance the need to provide legal access to this controlled substance and the Government's responsibility to regulate it.
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
1.8 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 82 | 82 | 82 |
Health Canada aims to reduce the health and safety risks associated with different types of radiation, both naturally occurring and from artificial sources, in living and working environments. Health Canada: conducts research into the biological effects of environmental and occupational radiation; develops better methods for internal radiation dosimetry and its measurement; provides radiation safety inspections of federally regulated facilities containing radiation-emitting devices, the devices themselves, as well as training on the proper operation of the devices; develops regulations, guidelines, standards and safety codes pertaining to radiation-emitting devices; and provides radiation advice to other government departments, industry and the general public.
Benefits for Canadians: This program activity ensures that potential radiation-related health threats are managed and limited.
Program Activity Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
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Increased public/stakeholder awareness of health risks related to radiation/radon |
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30% of Canadians |
Increased compliance/adherence to radiation emitting devices acts and regulations, and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission acts and regulations |
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At least 75% of inspected devices are compliant with the acts, regulations, or other control instruments by:
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Declining level of illnesses and injuries from exposure to radiation in the environment |
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Baseline to be established. Resulting target to be reached by March 31, 2013. |
Planning Highlights
Health Canada will continue work towards increasing knowledge, research and evidence to support decision-making related to radiation emitting devices. The Department will develop and/or amend guidelines, regulations, standards and safety codes as necessary to reduce risks associated with radiation emitting devices used in medical/clinical, industrial and consumer environments and increase Canadians' awareness and understanding of risks related to these devices.
In support of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, Health Canada will increase testing for radon levels in federal buildings in high-risk, radon-prone areas to meet the target of having tested 50% of high priority buildings by 2011-2012. The Department will also continue to map areas of high radon potential in Canada and increase awareness of risks, health impacts and mitigation strategies related to indoor radon exposure; a 10% increase in radon webpage hits and downloads by Canadians is anticipated, as compared to last year.
Health Canada will continue to meet international and national requirements related to environmental radiation monitoring, and aims to consistently have 80% of the National Radionuclear Monitoring Stations operational 24/7 in 2011-2012. Environmental radiation monitoring activities support Canada's obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
The departmental National Dosimetry Services will continue to provide services on a cost-recovery basis to monitor and report on radiation exposure in the workplace. The Department will meet dosimetry service standards, with a target of 90% of radiation dose reports addressed within 10 business days of receiving dosimeters, and 95% or greater client satisfaction by 2011-2012. The Department will also publish the National Dose Registry Annual Occupational Radiation Exposures Report in 2011-2012.
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
34.1 | 34.3 | 34.3 | 499 | 499 | 499 |
Health Canada, through the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, administers the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) and its regulations. The primary objective of the PCPA is to prevent unacceptable risks to people and the environment from the use of pest control products. Health Canada regulates the entire life cycle of a pesticide, including: determination of value, health and environmental risk assessment, characterization and mitigation, registration of products, monitoring and enforcement activities, re-evaluation of registered pesticides on a 15-year cycle, and phase-out or cancellation of products. Pest control products are regulated in a manner to encourage the development and implementation of innovative, sustainable pest management strategies and to facilitate access to pest control products that pose lower risks. Health Canada also encourages public awareness in relation to pest control products by informing the public, facilitating access to relevant information and participating in the decision-making process. Health Canada plays a leading role in international efforts to integrate various regulatory systems around the world. International cooperation facilitates consistency and ensures the best science available supports our decision making.
Benefits for Canadians: This program activity reduces health and environment risks from pesticides and providing information to Canadians so they can make informed decisions about pesticide use.
Program Activity Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
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Prevention of unacceptable risk from pesticides |
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Annually |
Timely regulatory decisions for pesticides |
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Mitigation of risks of/from non-compliance associated with pesticides |
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90% return to compliance |
Planning Highlights
To regulate pesticides through a life cycle approach that prevents unacceptable risks to people and the environment from the use of pest control products, Health Canada will enhance collaborative efforts with other international regulatory organizations and improve the effective use of international science including foreign reviews.
A strong science based approach will be used for both pre-market and post-market assessments to ensure ongoing risk reduction, to protect the health and safety of Canadians and the environment. An effective registration process will provide Canadians with timely access to safer and innovative pesticides. We will also implement a re-evaluation program based on a 15 year cycle in accordance with the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) and strengthen our compliance and enforcement activities in support of food, consumer and environmental protection in cooperation with international partners.
This strategic outcome seeks to reduce the gap in health outcomes between First Nations and Inuit and the Canadian population in general. The Department contributes to this goal by seeking to ensure that First Nations and Inuit living on reserve or in Inuit communities have access to health services, and that all registered First Nations and recognized Inuit in Canada have access to a specified range of medically necessary health-related goods and services not provided through private insurance plans, provincial/territorial health or social programs or other publicly funded programs.
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
940 | 891.9 | 890.4 | 1,301 | 1,220 | 1,220 |
Primary Health Care funds a suite of programs, services and strategies provided primarily to First Nations and Inuit individuals, families and communities living on-reserve or in Inuit communities. It encompasses health promotion and disease prevention programs to improve health outcomes and reduce health risks, public health protection, including surveillance, to prevent and/or mitigate human health risks associated with communicable diseases and exposure to environmental hazards, and primary health care where individuals are provided diagnostic, curative, rehabilitative, supportive, palliative/end-of-life care and referral services.
Benefits for Canadians: This program activity ensures that First Nations and Inuit people living on-reserve or in Inuit communities have access to a broadly comparable range of health services and programs as other Canadians, thereby helping to improve health outcomes.
Program Activity Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
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Primary health care programs and services that are responsive to the needs of First Nations and Inuit individuals, families and communities. |
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95% of all provincially scheduled childhood immunizations to be reached by March 31, 2016. |
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Maintain service levels | |
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Maintain service levels (Baseline established in 2008/09) |
Performance Indicators | Targets |
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Percentage of First Nation communities with acceptable water and wastewater facility risk ratings | Increase the percentage of First Nation communities with acceptable water and wastewater facility risk ratings by 2013 |
Note: Indicator data provided by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Planning Highlights
Health Canada will strengthen the provision of primary health care services to First Nations communities, in particular by developing new models of service delivery in remote and isolated communities, by investing, through the renewed Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative (AHHRI), in community-based health workers' education and training to begin to bring them in line with provincially-recognized careers/professions, and by implementing the renewed FNIHB National Tuberculosis Strategy by working to resolve human resource issues in First Nations and Inuit communities by implementing a multi-prong approach that includes:
A key focus, over the reporting period, will be the continued implementation of health promotion and disease prevention programs, renewed in Budget 2010, based on evidence, lessons learned and best practices. The goal of these programs, which include the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative, the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy, the Maternal Child Health program and enhanced funding for Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve, is to support individuals, families and communities in addressing health priorities related to healthy living, mental wellness and healthy child development.
Under these programs, activities will include prevention and promotion programming In First Nations and Inuit communities focused on healthy eating and physical activity, community-based projects to build protective factors related to mental health promotion and youth suicide prevention, home-visiting to support pregnant women and families with young children, and outreach services for Aboriginal Head Start on reserve sites.
As part of regular functions under this program activity, the Department will undertake actions in key areas to address the stated government priority of "Federal Sustainable Development Strategy." The Department will continue to enhance capacity to monitor drinking water quality as per the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ) in First Nations communities and to provide First Nations with communications products and tools to enhance public awareness and knowledge about environmental health. The Department will also continue to implement the health promotion campaign on mould in support of the National Strategy to Address Mould in First Nations Communities led by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in order to raise awareness and increase capacity among First Nations home occupants, communities and institutions to prevent and/or remediate mould effectively. For additional details on Health Canada's sustainable development strategy, please see www.health.gc.ca/sustainabledevelopment.
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
983.9 | 1,007.0 | 1,030.5 | 521 | 521 | 521 |
The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program provides a limited range of medically necessary health-related goods and services to registered Indians (according to the Indian Act) and Inuit (recognized by one of the Inuit Land Claim Organizations) regardless of residency in Canada where not otherwise covered under a separate agreement (e.g. a self-government agreement) with federal, provincial or territorial governments. The benefits under the NIHB Program include the following, where not otherwise provided to eligible clients through other private or provincial/territorial programs: pharmacy benefits (prescription drugs and some over-the-counter medication), medical supplies and equipment, dental care, vision care, short term crisis intervention mental health counselling, and medical transportation benefits to access medically required health services not available on-reserve or in the community of residence. The Program also pays provincial health premiums on behalf of eligible clients in British Columbia.
Benefits for Canadians: This program activity contributes to improving the health status of First Nations and Inuit in Canada by ensuring the availability of medically necessary health-related goods and services through well-managed programming.
Program Activity Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|---|
Access to non-insured health benefits appropriate to the unique health needs of First Nations people and Inuit |
|
Maintain access levels according to medical necessity |
Efficient management of access to non-insured health benefits |
|
Reduce to 6.0% over 5 years |
Planning Highlights
Health Canada will continue its efforts to strengthen First Nations and Inuit Health programming by providing non-insured health benefits coverage to over 830,000 eligible First Nations people and Inuit.
The Non-Insured Health Benefits program continues to fund, in a cost-effective manner, the provision of evidence-based supplementary health benefits to eligible First Nations and Inuit including prescription drugs and medical supplies and equipment, dental care, vision care, short term crisis intervention mental health counselling and medical transportation to access medically required health services not available on-reserve or in the community of residence. In response to findings of the NIHB relevance and performance evaluation, the program will explore ways to further streamline the NIHB Program's dental predetermination and pharmacy prior approval processes and expanding audit activities into benefit areas not previously covered.
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
256.8 | 272.4 | 252.6 | 243 | 236 | 175 |
The Health Infrastructure Support Activity underpins the long-term vision of an integrated health system with greater First Nations and Inuit control by enhancing the capacity of First Nations and Inuit to design, manage, deliver and evaluate quality health programs and services. It provides the foundation to support the delivery of programs and services in First Nations and Inuit communities and promotes innovation and partnerships in health care delivery to better meet the unique health needs of First Nations and Inuit. The funds are used for: planning and management for the delivery of quality health services; construction and maintenance of health facilities; research activities; encouraging Aboriginal people to pursue health careers; investments in technologies to modernize health services, and integrate and realign the governance of existing health services.
Benefits for Canadians: This program activity brings about greater control by First Nations and Inuit over the health system that serves them, while ensuring that the system is managed effectively, and that innovation and partnerships with the governments of the provinces and territories are encouraged.
Program Activity Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|---|
Promote innovative integrated health governance relationships |
|
100% by March 31, 2015 |
Improved First Nations and Inuit capacity to influence and/or control (design, deliver, and manage) health programs and services |
|
5 % increase (2-3 communities) in the number of communities involved by 2016 |
Planning Highlights
Moving toward its long-term vision for the integration of federal and provincial health services for Aboriginal people, Health Canada will continue to work with the provincial government of British Columbia and British Columbia First Nations to negotiate a tripartite framework agreement on Health Governance. This agreement will be the first of its kind.
In 2011, Health Canada will complete the remaining Aboriginal Health Transition Fund (AHTF) projects. Since it was launched in 2005, AHTF has funded over 311 projects supporting the integration and adaptation of federally and provincially/territorially funded health services for Aboriginal Canadians. These projects have resulted in improved access to health services, as well as improved collaboration and partnerships between health systems.
A significant focus of AHTF projects has also been to increase the participation of Aboriginal people in the design, delivery and evaluation of health services that serve them, ensuring these services are more suited to their needs. The successor initiative, the Health Services Integration Fund (HSIF, 2010-2015), will build on the lessons learned through AHTF to support more intensive aggregation and integration of health systems over the next four years.
Since 2005, the Department has implemented Consolidated Contribution Agreements to streamline administrative processes, support greater First Nations and Inuit control over health services and build capacity. The Department will continue to work with National Aboriginal Organizations (NAOs) to improve and strengthen the consolidated agreement process.
Health Canada will also continue to work with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the InuitTapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on the AFN-Health Canada Task Group and the Health Canada - ITK-PHAC Task Group. The task groups will explore and develop approaches in areas of mutual interest for advancing First Nations health to identify areas of collaboration leading to practical initiatives.
The Department will also continue to work with First Nations partners to direct targeted secondary analysis on the 2007-2008 First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey and to renew the process for the next cycle of the survey.
The Department will continue internal and collaborative work with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and other federal partners to harmonize, whenever possible, and/or improve coherence of practices and systems for managing contribution agreements. This would provide the basis for the integration and holistic use of resources both internally and across federal programs.
Finally, Health Canada will modernize its First Nations and Inuit Health infrastructure program and will continue to work with First Nations communities to improve the quality of management practices in order to improve the life cycle of the overall health infrastructure system and the long term sustainability of the program.
Planned Spending ($ millions) | Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
322.1 | 311.3 | 308.5 | 2,658 | 2,629 | 2,581 |
Health Canada has a range of internal services. Some, in areas such as financial, administrative, real property, security, human resources, information management and information technology, provide the basic operational services that enable the Department to function while ensuring compliance to new and existing central agency policies.
Other internal services in Health Canada address departmental and health portfolio organizations' needs such as general communications and policy activities, as well as managing relations with Parliamentarians, the Cabinet system and other government departments and levels of government. An additional set of internal service roles centre on critical departmental and government-wide responsibilities, such as ensuring the best value for Canadians through planning, accountability and tracking performance and results.
Planning Highlights
Health Canada will continue to focus on ongoing improvements to its delivery of internal services while increasingly building department-wide approaches to services delivery and investment planning. Many will directly help deliver or support one or more of the three management priorities. For example, Health Canada will develop a five year Department-level strategic investment planning process which will lead to a Department-wide prioritization of projects. Priority investments will be highlighted in assets, acquired services and projects that reflect the areas of greatest risk for the Department and that best support Government of Canada objectives.
The Department will continue to improve service delivery by enhancing performance measurement and monitoring across all programs by incorporating the new Program Activity Architecture (PAA) and Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) into the 2011-2012 operational planning cycle. Also, Health Canada will continue to improve on horizontal service delivery models in the regions.
Departmental program operations, including grants and contributions program management and regulatory functions, will continue to be streamlined and efficiency will continue to be enhanced. The Department has increased effectiveness in its management of grants and contributions programs by moving toward a more risk-based approach for decision-making. We have developed and implemented a framework and associated tools to ensure a stronger focus on higher risk areas and we will to continue to improve on these tools.
In 2011-2012, the Health Canada Science Plan will continue to focus on the implementation of five key priority initiatives: Setting Health Canada's Science Priorities; Laboratory Infrastructure Renewal, Health Canada Talent Management Framework for the Science Community; a Framework Science Excellence, and Improving Science-Policy Interface.
As part of regular functions under this program activity, the Department will contribute to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy in shrinking the environment footprint of government operations in the following areas: green buildings; greenhouse gas emissions reductions for fleet; surplus electronic and electrical equipment; printing units; paper consumption; green meetings; and green procurement. For more details on the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, please see www.health.gc.ca/sustainabledevelopment.
Other on-going improvements in the delivery of internal services include:
Communications Services - increase departmental transparency and engagement with Canadians and stakeholders through innovative communications tools and approaches. A Web Presence Renewal Initiative will be launched over the reporting period, to improve public access to health and safety information online. The Department is developing guidelines to make better use of social media to engage the public. Health Canada is strengthening the consistency of its consultations processes through the use of tools and common best practices.
Human Resources Management Services - improve human resources services and embedding longer term strategic human resource planning for current and future needs in the department's management practices so that human resources plans are aligned with evolving priorities and business models. This will include enhancement of processes, tools and a review of roles and responsibilities of human resources services delivery.
Information Technology Services - continue to focus on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of both program and corporate services to Health Canada. These activities include leading-edge application development, infrastructure renewal and standardization and IT resource management strategies. As well, we will develop a five-year IT/IM strategic plan that will articulate key investments in support of departmental priorities such as regulatory modernization, a single departmental grants and contributions system, and a Science IM/IT strategy. By adopting a simpler and easier approach to managing technology and application infrastructure, we will reduce both management and life cycle costs.
Information Management Services - improve the corporate management of knowledge and information by developing a Health Canada IM Strategy to support the redefinition of IM as a key internal service through three pillars: awareness/communications, learning/training and engagement/commitment. All branches are also collaborating in the development of a three year plan to fund and implement an Enterprise Content Management Solution across the department. Over time, and utilizing these key supporting elements of an integrated enterprise approach to IM, individual Branch IM action plans will be developed to address specific IM requirements.
Real Property Services - implement the Laboratory Infrastructure Renewal Plan to support current and future science priorities by streamlining and aligning, and ensuring the adequacy of departmental laboratory facilities.
Security - develop the Departmental Security Plan, a framework for the delivery of safety and security services for the Department as indicated in the Treasury Board Policy on Government Security with a focus on training and awareness. As well, Departmental Business Continuity Plans will continue to be enhanced
to ensure that the business needs are identified for the delivery of the department critical health programs in the event of a major disruption.