Transparency at Health Canada

Thank you for bringing to my attention G. Tyers' letter to the editor and for your offer to publish our response to it. The letter raises important issues and I am pleased to accept your offer. I apologize for the lengthy delay in responding. It in no way diminishes the importance I attach to the matters under discussion.

Health Canada has authority, under its Treasury Board approved terms and conditions, to fund activities that will stimulate knowledge development to promote health and prevent disease. Research is a key way of doing so. All research proposals are carefully screened to ensure that any funding goes to credible organizations and is directed at initiatives that will advance the health of Canadians.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men, with upwards of 18,000 Canadian men expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. Federal government funding builds on the impressive track records of organizations in the area of prostate cancer research. All research proposals submitted to these organizations underwent a careful ethics and scientific peer review to ensure that funding was directed at initiatives that would advance the health of Canadians. In keeping with the Auditor General’s observations, Health Canada has clarified its grant authorities for the prostate cancer initiative.

Recent changes in the HIV/AIDS epidemic necessitate many different funding streams to support HIV/AIDS work in Canada. Health Canada convenes expert panels to help review proposals and makes funding recommendations guided by the advice of these experts and of departmental officials.

Please be assured that we are committed to ensuring that our processes are transparent and that funds are provided to projects that clearly demonstrate that they address the health needs of Canadians.

Yours sincerely,

Ian C. Green.