Latest news with #MarjorieMichel
Cision Canada
4 hours ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
Government of Canada improves access to health services for Francophone minority communities Français
MONCTON, NB, July 22, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, accompanied by the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Member of Parliament for Moncton—Dieppe, announced more than $78 million in funding over five years to seven organizations including five Atlantic post-secondary training institutions to improve access to health services in French for Francophone communities. These investments will support innovative projects to improve health services in French through the Official Languages Health Program (OLHP). Initiatives include increasing access to care, improving recruitment, internship and placement opportunities in Francophone communities as well as training in francophone post-secondary health programs. The Government of Canda will continue working with partners to improve access to health care services for everyone, including services in the official language of their choice. Quotes "Everyone in Canada should have access to health services in their official language of choice, regardless of where they live. When it comes to health care, a language barrier can lead to a life-or-death situation. This is why the Government of Canada is supporting projects that will improve access to health services for Francophones and Anglophones living in minority communities in Canada." The Honourable Marjorie Michel Minister of Health "As a proud Atlantic Canadian, I know how vital it is for Francophones in minority communities to access health care in their language of choice. This funding will contribute to improved access to more inclusive and effective care — ensuring official languages are supported within our health care system." The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor Member of Parliament for Moncton—Dieppe "Our two official languages are at the heart of our identity, uniting us from coast to coast to coast and making us stronger together. As a government, we are taking concrete action to ensure that Canadians—no matter where they live—can access health services in the official language of their choice. I am pleased that this funding will support projects that strengthen our bilingual identity, not only in the Atlantic region but right across Canada." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages "Health is essential to the vitality of Francophone and Acadian minority communities, and they should have access to quality health services in their own language. Société Santé en français is proud to work with Canada's 16 French-language health networks and hundreds of other health partners to develop French-language health services across Canada." Antoine Désilets Executive Director, Société Santé en français "The importance of preparing the next generation of French-speaking health care workers, from recruitment to professional integration in Francophone minority communities, cannot be overstated. Health Canada's contribution will leverage the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne's (ACUFC) ability to support postsecondary institutions that are members of the Consortium national de formation en santé in their efforts to increase the number of health professionals providing French-language services. It will also allow our network to continue to overcome existing barriers and ensure that Canadians have access to equitable health services in the language of their choice." Martin Normand President and Chief Executive Officer, Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne - Consortium national de formation en santé "The financial support from the federal government represents much more than a simple investment in health training: it is a concrete gesture in favor of improving access to French-language health services in our Francophone minority communities. At the Université de Moncton, this support will strengthen our capacity to offer training in targeted health programs. We are proud to be part of a national network of 16 post-secondary institutions — a group that fosters collaboration, shares expertise, and promotes our programs. Together, we are helping to train the next generation of competent, committed professionals ready to meet the needs of French-language healthcare across the country." Dr. Denis Prud'homme President and Vice-Chancellor of the Université de Moncton Quick Facts The OLHP was launched in 2003 and receives funding through the Government of Canada's Action Plan for Official Languages. The Program supports non-profit organizations, post-secondary institutions and provincial and territorial governments that aim to improve access to health services for official language minority communities (OLMC) - Francophones living outside Quebec and English-speaking communities in Quebec. The " Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration" announced that, in addition to existing funding of $192.2 million over five years, Health Canada's OLHP will also receive $14.5 million over five years (for a total of $206.7 million over five years). This additional funding will support non-profit organizations, provincial and territorial governments and post-secondary institutions that serve OLMCs to train and retain bilingual health professionals, support health networking initiatives as well as innovative projects. Budget 2023 outlined the Government's plan to invest close to $200 billion over 10 years, including $46.2 billion in new funding to provinces and territories to strengthen Canada's public health care system. This includes $25 billion of funding through tailored bilateral agreements to meet the specific needs of each province and territory. Associated Links SOURCE Health Canada (HC)
Cision Canada
7 hours ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
/R E P E A T -- NOTICE TO THE MEDIA - Government of Canada to make an announcement to support access to health services for Francophone minority communities/ Français
MONCTON, NB, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, accompanied by the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Member of Parliament for Moncton—Dieppe, will make an important announcement to support access to health services in French for Francophone communities. There will be a media availability immediately following the announcement. Date July 22, 2025 Time 10:30 (ADT) Location The event will be held in-person at: Université de Moncton Moncton Campus Léopold-Taillon Pavilion, room 136 18 Antonine-Maillet avenue Moncton, New Brunswick E1A -3E9 Media may also join by Zoom: Passcode: 009354 Please indicate your name (first and last) and media outlet when joining the event. X: @GovCanHealth Facebook: Healthy Canadians SOURCE Health Canada (HC)
Global News
19 hours ago
- Health
- Global News
Health Minister: Ottawa will try to improve Vaccine Injury Support Program
The federal government will 'try' to improve how the Vaccine Injury Support Program delivers services and financial support to ailing and fragile Canadians, Health Minister Marjorie Michel said Monday. Michel made the brief remarks in New Brunswick, as she publicly answered questions for the first time about the VISP's performance since a five-month Global News investigation was broadcast and published online earlier this month. 'As you know, for now, it's a third party delivering the (VISP) services. We heard that some people are complaining about it. We are tracking this closely with the third party with delivering services. And we will try to improve,' Michel said. 2:41 'Slap in the face': Calls for investigation into Vaccine Injury Support Program Michel was responding to Global News' questions at a news conference she held in Moncton, N.B. She had travelled there to announce the injection of federal money into French-language health services for francophone communities in the Atlantic province. Story continues below advertisement The Liberal government in 2020 announced it would create the VISP to provide financial support to anyone who is seriously and permanently injured by a vaccine as it embarked on the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the largest such effort in Canadian history. The Public Health Agency of Canada decided to outsource the administration of this program to an Ottawa consulting firm, Oxaro Inc., in 2021. Last week, four Conservative MPs called for a Commons committee investigation into the how VISP is being administered, and a pivotal non-profit health foundation said the effort needs an urgent overhaul because it was too slow. 3:02 Federal Vaccine Injury Support Program leaving some injured people waiting for years Global News' five-month investigation that prompted the outcry revealed that: Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Oxaro had received $50.6 million in taxpayer money; $33.7 million has been spent on administrative costs, while injured Canadians received $16.9 million. Updated Health Canada figures released last week show the company has now received $54.1 million and spent $36.3 million on administration costs, with $18.1 million paid to injured Canadians PHAC and Oxaro underestimated the number of injury claims VISP would get, initially predicting 40 per year and then up to 400 valid claims annually. More than 3,317 applications have been filed — of those, more than 1,738 people await decisions on their claims Some injured applicants say they face a revolving door of unreachable VISP case managers and require online fundraising campaigns to survive Some VISP applicants and former staff said Oxaro was unequipped to deliver fully on the program's mission to deliver 'timely and fair' support, and questions emerged about why the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) chose this company over others, while internal documents suggested poor planning from the start When asked at her Moncton news conference whether the Liberal government will renew Oxaro's contract once it expires next year, the Health Minister responded: Story continues below advertisement 'Every option is on the table, for now, I will tell you,' Michel said. 'That's my answer to you, I know everything we heard. It's very, you know, we are tracking it. It's unacceptable what we heard about this. And we are, every option is now on the table.' 'No, people shouldn't wait if they really need services or to get compensation, but as I will tell you it's more complex than this. Sometimes there's reason why they cannot get access to the benefits,' Michel added. Global News obtained internal documents that suggested poor planning from the start as both the government and consulting firm underestimated the number of applications the program would get. In an email to Global News Monday, a VISP spokesman identified only as 'William, Case Escalation Manager,' reiterated earlier comments and responses by the consulting company but confirmed Global News reporting. Story continues below advertisement 'Applications to the program grew to more than 10 times the originally anticipated levels,' William said. 'The program processes, procedures and staffing were adapted to face this unexpected increase in volume.' 'VISP is a program that adapts to changing circumstances and continuously improves to meet its objectives,' William added. 2:48 Whistleblowers allege 'high school' workplace inside federal program 'OXARO and PHAC have been collaborating closely to evaluate how the program can remain agile to handle the workload on hand while respecting budget requirements,' the company said. Oxaro has also said that its monthly invoices to the government include documents and details, which in turn PHAC reviews and approves prior to all payments it gets. –with a file from Anna Mandin, Global News READ MORE OF OUR COVERAGE PART 1: Canada set up a $50M vaccine injury program. Those harmed say it's failing them Story continues below advertisement PART 2: 'Nothing was ready': Inside Canada's Vaccine Injury Support Program PART 3: VISP aimed to curb vaccine injury lawsuits. Now, people are suing in 3 provinces READ OTHER RELATED STORIES: Tory MPs, health group call for investigation and overhaul of vaccine support program Federal auditors target vaccine injury program amid surprise Oxaro office visit 'Breach of trust': Critics slam Ottawa's vaccine injury program 'failure' Is VISP an independent administrator? Here's what some documents say Vaccine injury programs elsewhere also face challenges, criticism Want to contact us about this investigation? Email: or You can also reach Andrew at (416) 550-4684.
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
Supporting community-led responses to the illegal toxic drug and overdose crisis in Atlantic Canada Français
Funding will prioritize urgent needs at community level FREDERICTON, NB, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced $2.8 million in funding from the Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) to support four projects in Atlantic. These investments will directly support communities in Fredericton and Miramichi, New Brunswick, in Amherst, Nova Scotia, and in St. John's, Newfoundland. The ETF is part of the Government of Canada's efforts to help communities rapidly respond to emerging, critical needs related to the overdose crisis faced by municipalities and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. It provides support for a wide range of urgent interventions to bolster local capacity to help the most affected populations. Minister Michel highlighted a mobile outreach project led by the City of Fredericton and the John Howard Society. This project will expand outreach efforts in Fredericton, New Brunswick, by adding overnight services to support vulnerable populations by delivering supplies, providing transport to critical services, distributing naloxone, and offering overdose support and weather warnings year-round. Quotes "Communities across the country have called for help - and through the Emergency Treatment Fund, we are responding. This funding will deliver immediate support where it is needed most. We are using every tool available to connect people to care, address urgent local challenges, and keep our communities safe." The Honourable Marjorie Michel Minister of Health "Families and communities continue to feel the devastating impact of the fentanyl crisis. This funding will improve access to life-saving harm reduction services, health supports, and community-based programs for those who need it the most. Through ongoing collaboration, we can continue building a compassionate, evidence-informed approach that protects lives and supports recovery." David Myles Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Nature) "This project, led by the John Howard Society and supported by the City of Fredericton, is a vital step in addressing a key need identified in our Community Safety Task Force Report. By adding a mobile overnight outreach unit, we're ensuring vulnerable residents get the support they need when they need it most. This partnership reflects our commitment to a safer, more supportive Fredericton for everyone." Her Worship Kate Rogers Mayor of Fredericton "This initiative marks an important step forward in our commitment to providing comprehensive, around-the-clock support to individuals in need. By extending outreach efforts into the overnight hours, we aim to ensure that no one is left without access to essential services—regardless of the time of day. These new overnight outreach services will work in close coordination with existing daytime programs, creating a continuous and responsive support system that prioritizes safety, connection to services, and community care. We are proud to work in partnership with Fredericton Police and Fire on this initiative, and we thank all of the frontline workers and community partners who make this vital work possible." John Barrow Executive Director, John Howard Society of Fredericton Quick Facts Budget 2024 provided $150 million over three years for an ETF for municipalities and Indigenous communities to help provide rapid responses to the overdose crisis. Further to the 2024 ETF Call for Proposals, more than $100.5 million in funding is being provided for 102 projects. Projects will be made public when the agreements are in place. Associated Links Government of Canada supporting solutions and rapid responses to the substance use and overdose crisis Emergency Treatment Fund 2024 The Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy Get help with substance use Hope for Wellness SOURCE Health Canada (HC)
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
NOTICE TO THE MEDIA - Government of Canada to make an announcement to support access to health services for Francophone minority communities Français
MONCTON, NB, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, accompanied by the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Member of Parliament for Moncton—Dieppe, will make an important announcement to support access to health services in French for Francophone communities. There will be a media availability immediately following the announcement. Date July 22, 2025 Time 10:30 (ADT) Location The event will be held in-person at: Université de Moncton Moncton Campus Léopold-Taillon Pavilion, room 136 18 Antonine-Maillet avenue Moncton, New Brunswick E1A -3E9 Media may also join by Zoom: Passcode: 009354 Please indicate your name (first and last) and media outlet when joining the event. X: @GovCanHealth Facebook: Healthy Canadians SOURCE Health Canada (HC)
