Stakeholder Meeting on the Intersectoral Healthy Living Network

16 January 2004
Toronto, Ontario

Introduction:

At their annual meeting in September 2003, F/P/T Ministers of Health approved the creation of an Intersectoral Healthy Living Network that would be responsible for addressing Healthy Living in a comprehensive, sustained manner. Draft Terms of Reference were prepared by the Healthy Living Task Group. A list of meeting participants is included below.

Purpose of the meeting:

To review draft Terms of Reference for the Intersectoral Healthy Living Network with a group of stakeholders and to obtain advice on how these Terms of Reference can be strengthened to advance the work of the Healthy Living Strategy and contribute to its two goals: "to improve health outcomes" and "to reduce health disparities".

Meeting Format:

A copy of the meeting agenda is attached. The working meeting was facilitated by Brian Bell, Alder Group.

On behalf of the Healthy Living Task Group, Claude Rocan (Health Canada) provided a status report on the Healthy Living Strategy. The facilitator then opened the floor for general comments by meeting participants about the draft Terms of Reference, the Intersectoral Healthy Living Network and the Healthy Living Strategy.

Eleanor Swanson (Department of Health and Community Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador) provided an outline of the proposed purpose, guiding principles and structure of the IHLN. Stakeholders were then able to provide comments on these elements of the Terms of Reference.

Lastly, stakeholders were asked to provide comments specifically on the proposed Coordinating Committee, in terms of its relationship with other components of the Network and its roles and responsibilities.

To conclude, Claude Rocan and Eleanor Swanson outlined proposed next steps for the revision of the Terms of Reference and establishment of the Network.

Synopsis of Key Themes

Simple and clear structure
Stakeholders emphasized that the overall structure should be simplified and that the lines of responsibility should be clarified and streamlined, wherever possible.

Value-added
Stakeholders stressed the importance of creating a structure that adds value to current national level and P/T actions and facilitates efforts to ensure positive outcomes for the Healthy Living Strategy. The importance of building on existing initiatives and activities and minimizing duplication was identified.

Coordinating resources and expertise
Stakeholders suggested that the Coordinating Committee of the Intersectoral Healthy Living Network should serve as a "conduit" or forum for connecting and channeling resources and expertise of various sectors engaged in Healthy Living activities.

Concrete action
Stakeholders recognized the value of identifying concrete activities and deliverables for the Coordinating Committee, and stressed the importance of developing specific outcomes, targets and indicators for the Healthy Living Strategy.

Continued communication
Stakeholders identified the need for the Coordinating Committee to establish mechanisms to ensure strong communications with members of the larger Network.

Horizontal linkages
Stakeholders recognized that, to ensure its success, the Network should not be limited to health and its F/P/T infrastructure, but should be linked horizontally to senior policy and executive levels in other sectors (such as education or sports & recreation).

Government commitment
Stakeholders stressed the importance of F/P/T governments' commitment to the Strategy to ensure its success and identified the need for governments to dedicate adequate resources to fund the operations and activities of the Network.
List of Participants

Stakeholders
Dr. Jodi Abbott, Alberta Healthy Living Network
Bill Allen and Art Salmon, F/P/T Deputy Ministers responsible for Sport, Recreation and Fitness
Colette Arnal, United Way of Canada
Dr. Rick Bell, Coalition for Active Living
Leanne Boyd, Childhood and Adolescence Task Group
Catherine Donovan, Newfoundland and Labrador Wellness Advisory Council
Robin Garrett, Food and Consumer Products Manufacturers of Canada
Bonnie Hostrawser, Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada
Janice Linton, B.C. Ministry of Health Planning
Jean-Guy Soulière, Congress of National Seniors' Organizations
Sharon Zeiler, Network on Healthy Eating

Healthy Living Task Group
Claude Rocan, Health Canada
Eleanor Swanson, Department of Health and Community Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Rushi Buckshi, F/P/T Secretariat, Health Canada

Facilitator
Brian Bell, Alder Group

Support
Isabel Romero, Health Canada
Sophie Sommerer, Health Canada