Foundation for Resilient Health (RESILIENT)

For Immediate Release: December 2, 2020

Environmental Health Organization RESILIENT applauds Forward-Looking Economic Update

Fredericton, NB – RESILIENT is pleased to see that the Liberal government’s Economic Update, released on November 30, 2020 shows a clear commitment to moving toward a healthier, more resilient Canada. Not only did the update provide immediate priorities for combating the pandemic, but also long-term solutions that will improve the health of Canadians. We are hopeful that these commitments will come to fruition.

The federal government is working with provinces, territories and other stakeholders to move forward on Pharmacare. This will directly benefit over 3 million Canadians who do not fill their prescriptions because they cannot afford to.

Grants and affordable financing will be made available for home energy retrofits. Providing this financial support will to enable Canadians to lower their energy use and bills, will create jobs, and will make progress toward Net Zero by 2050. Other climate commitments include increasing zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, planting 2 billion trees, electrifying public transit, and phasing out coal power.

At this time, income support is continued, to help Canadians through the pandemic. We consider this a step in the right direction toward permanent income support measures. We will continue to advocate for permanent income support beyond the pandemic because income is one of the most important determinants of health.

RESILIENT continues to monitor progress on modernizing the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA, 1999). While there was no mention of CEPA reform in this economic update, we recognize that much work has been done on this file, and we will continue to advocate for a timely introduction of the modernized Act.

RESILIENT continues to meet with government officials and members of parliament to support our overall goal of improving human health. The health of Canadians is inextricably linked to social policies and programs, economic drivers and the health of the natural environment.

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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Barbara MacKinnon, Ph.D.
bmackinnon@resilient-health.ca
506-455-8961 ext 102