MEDIA ADVISORY: Health-care professionals protest cuts to long form census

TORONTO – Sept. 1, 2010 – Medical and population health researchers and health-care professionals are convinced that the cancellation of the mandatory long form census will create a significant health risk for Canadians. That’s why they are participating in a series of media events in cities across the country on Thursday, September 2.

Initiated by the “Save the Census Campaign”, being spearheaded by social planning bodies across Canada, these events will feature Medical Officers of Health, physicians, nurses, medical researchers, representatives of Community Health Centres and other health-care professionals who are concerned about the health implications of this decision.

“Long form census data is used to make decisions about local health care and public health services, and as a foundation for population-based research into medical conditions and diseases. Loss of this data will make it more difficult to address the pressing health needs of Canadians,” said Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto.

Events are planned for Thursday, September 2^nd in Toronto, Ottawa, Sudbury, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver. Confirmed participants include Medical Officers of Health, the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO), the Canadian and Ontario Epidemiological Societies, and front-line medical researchers.

EVENT LISTING

TORONTO

Tomorrow, Thursday September 2^nd, 10:00 a.m.

Women’s College Hospital, Main Lobby, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto (please note there is NO on-site parking)

Organizer: John Campey, Social Planning Toronto (416) 351-0095 x 260

Speakers:

• Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health, City of Toronto
• Rob Milling, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO)
• John McLaughlin, Vice-President, Population Studies and Surveillance, Cancer Care Ontario
• Anne-Marie Holt, President, Ontario Association of Public Health Epidemiologists
• Cherie Miller, Director of Community Health, Regent Park Community Health Centre

OTTAWA

Thursday, September 2^nd, 10:00 a.m. Carlington Community and Health Services, 930 Merivale Road, Ottawa ON

Organizer: Peggy Taillon, Canadian Council on Social Development (613) 236 8977 x 1

Speakers:

• Dr. Isra G. Levy, Chief Medical Officer of Health, City of Ottawa
• Michael Birmingham, Executive Director Carlington Community & Health Services and National Association of Community Health Centres
• Nancy Watters, Registered Nursing Association Ontario, Eastern Ontario Representative

SUDBURY

Thursday, September 2^nd, 10:00 a.m., City of Lakes Family Health Team Sudbury Site, 960 Notre Dame Avenue, Unit C. Sudbury

Organizer: Janet Gaspirini, Social Planning Council of Sudbury (705) 675-3894

Speakers:

• Dr. Chris Bourdon, Chief of Staff, Sudbury Regional Hospital
• Isabelle Michelle, Sudbury District Health Unit
• Dr. David Marsh, Associate Dean, Community Engagement, Northern Ontario School of Medicine

WINNIPEG

Aboriginal Health and Wellness Center of Winnipeg, 181 Higgins Avenue (Time to be confirmed)

Organizer: Wayne Helgason, Winnipeg Social Planning Council (204) 943-2561

Speakers:

• Darlene Hall, Executive Director, Aboriginal Health and Wellness Center of Winnipeg
• Sandra Gessler, Professor, Faculty of Nursing, University of Manitoba

EDMONTON

Thursday, September 2^nd, 1:00 PM, Friends of Medicare Office, 10512 122^nd St, Edmonton

Organizer: David Eggen, Friends of Medicare (780) 423-4581

Speakers:

• Dr. Colin Soskolne, President, Canadian Society for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• John Kolkman, Research Coordinator, Edmonton Social Planning Council

VANCOUVER

Organizer: Scott Graham, Social Planning and Research Council BC. (604) 718-8501

For more information, contact:

John Campey, Social Planning Toronto (416)351-0095 x 260 (cell) 647-283-9657

Peggy Taillon, Canadian Council on Social Development (613) 236-8977.