On Parliament Hill

Our Government is committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians while encouraging active and healthy lifestyles.  As part of that commitment, we are working with partners in all sectors to promote healthy living.

The risk of sudden cardiac arrest can increase during intense physical activity, like playing hockey, especially for people who have other risk factors such as high blood pressure or an underlying heart condition.

That is why, last year, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a $10 million, four-year program to install Automated External Defibrillators, commonly referred to as AEDs, in recreational facilities across this country.

This week, I was pleased to announce that community recreation centres in Marchand, Vita and Vassar have been approved to receive AED’s. Other communities in Provencher are also expected to benefit from this program later this year and next.

Our Government has partnered with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to make all of this possible. They are a leader in the field and the only national organization equipped to deliver all aspects of this program, in collaboration with local partners. Together, we are expanding the availability of AEDs in Canada, which have been proven to save lives.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, access to early CPR and defibrillation could potentially save the lives of thousands of Canadian adults and children every year.

Through this initiative, we hope to support the targeted placement of 2,000 AEDs across the country, and training of 20,000 people in how to use them.  We will also provide support to the Heart and Stroke Foundation to develop a national database that will track AEDs installed in recreational facilities. The database is intended to provide local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with valuable information regarding the availability of AEDs located in their jurisdictions

We know AEDs work – we hear countless stories about Canadians saved by these easy-to-use devices.

We not only want to ensure that recreational facilities in Canada have AEDs, but we also intend to provide adequate training. This will be provided by the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s instructor network, training agencies and local Emergency Medical Services across Canada. Although AEDs are easy to use, training on how to use these devices is important so that bystanders have knowledge and skills to confidently step-up during an emergency situation. Just one second can make all the difference in a person’s life.

Recreational facilities are often the center of community activity across our country. They host sporting activities including hockey, skating, curling and ringette, as well as community events such as town halls, club meetings, and trade shows. The installation of AEDs will benefit all those who use these facilities be they sports participants or spectators.

As a Member of Parliament, I encourage all recreational facilities in Provencher to apply to this program. I am proud to work alongside the Heart and Stroke Foundation and its partners to support the installation of these life-saving devices. Partnerships such as this one are crucial to protecting the health of Canadians. Our investments support efforts by Canadians to live healthy, active lives. Everyone has a role to play.