December 2008 - Our Voice in Action

Making Children’s Health a Priority for Everyone

The Federal Government is being asked to take action in research, law and policy and on-the-ground activities to protect children from hazardous chemicals…

by Erica Phipps, Partnership Director, Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment Partnership

The Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and the Environment (CPCHE), of which OPHA is a member, will launch First Steps in Lifelong Health: A Vision and Strategy for Children's Health and Environment in Canada on December 16 in Toronto. CPCHE is calling upon the federal government and other stakeholders to undertake a suite of priority actions in the areas of:

  1. research;
  2. law and policy; and
  3. on-the-ground protection
to protect the developing fetus and child from hazardous chemicals in the environment and consumer products.

On the occasion of the document's release, CPCHE and Pollution Probe are hosting a public evening forum at the Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel (525 Bay Street) from 7:00-9:00 p.m. All are welcome to join for an evening of information and discussion on how toxic chemicals in consumer products and the environment can affect children’s health, and what can be done about it.

The evening will feature a keynote by the Honourable John Gerretsen, Ontario Minister of the Environment (invited), Charles Ethier, Director General of Health Canada's consumer product safety program, and Caroline Connell, Editor-in-Chief of Today's Parent magazine who will be moderating the panel on toxics in consumer products, and an inspiration and humourous theatrical presentation by the Otesha youth group.

For more information, please visit the CPCHE website, or contact Erica Phipps, Partnership Director, CPCHE at (819) 458-3750, or BoAnne Tran, Pollution Probe at (416) 926-1907 x250.