March 22, 1999
(Health and Community Services)

$15 million investment in health and community services system

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced today that government is fulfilling a $15 million commitment it made in January of this year to strengthen the health and community services system and address financial operating pressures.

"The challenge will be to continue to improve health and community services, while avoiding a return to large deficits," said the minister. "Our objective is to create the conditions that will permit sustainable balanced budgets."

Government realizes its responsibility to operate as efficiently as possible to ensure public funds are spent for the benefit of all citizens. It also realizes that while it must support our boards and acknowledge their work, it must also allow them a means to achieve certain standards. Strong evidence based decision making and accountability frameworks will help boards provide regular reporting of their financial and operational activities.

This year government will continue to support the work and direction of the regional boards and is providing substantial funding to enhance the delivery of health and community services.

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, Communications, (709) 729-1377.

1999 03 22