
Media Releases
OPHA regularly issues media releases that:
- articulate our position on specific issues;
- respond to policy announcements; and
- inform the public on developments, and challenges affecting the public health system.
Below is a listing of recent media releases, as well as an archive of releases as a reference on issues for which OPHA advocates.
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004
2010
- February 26 - National, international experts gather to discuss Ontario alcohol policy and alcohol-related harms [PDF] - As the question of how best to deal with privatization of alcohol sales and drinking and driving continue to be debated in Ontario, the Ontario Public Health Association and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) are pleased to present the seventh annual forum, aptly entitled Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity. Public health professionals, addiction counselors and policy makers will gather from across the province to discuss Ontario’s alcohol policy and the actions that need to be taken based on current research, policy, and practical applications that address alcohol-related harm. For more details, please visit the Alcohol Policy Network website.
- January 15 - Provincial Nutrition Society agrees new School Food and Beverage Policy is a positive step [PDF] - OPHA and OSNPPH applaud the release of the School Food and Beverage Policy by the Ministry of Education. The new policy will provide direction for schools when deciding which foods and beverages can be sold to students. To further benefit the nutritional and overall health of Ontario's children and youth, OSNPPH also supports a whole school approach.
2009
2008
- December 16 - Federal Government Action Needed Now to Protect Children from Hazardous Chemicals in Consumer Products [PDF] - OPHA is member of a partnership of 11 environmental, public health, medical and child care groups is calling for improvements in the federal government’s approach to regulating chemicals in consumer products.
- December 5 - OPHA and alPHa Urge Prompt Implementation of Child Poverty Initiatives [PDF] - OPHA and alPHa praise the intent of the Ontario Government’s child poverty initiative and express hope that economic conditions, federal government participation, and other externalities will not sidetrack an initiative that has commanded the overwhelming support of Ontarians.
- October 21 - Making Healthy Communities Count – A Public Health Summit [PDF] - listing of Keynote Speakers and Panelists for the annual OPHA Conference to be held October 26-29, 2008 in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
- June 3 - OPHA Mourns the loss of Public Health Champion, Dr. Sheela Basrur [PDF] - OPHA is saddened by the loss of Dr. Sheela Basrur, who was a strong advocate for Public health, an honorary member of OPHA, and a dear friend.
- March 26 - OPHA and CAMH Provide Forum for Promoting Responsible Use of Alcohol [PDF] - The fifth Annual Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity Forum invites public health professionals, addiction counselors and policy makers from across Ontario to discuss a broad range of issues related to the misuse of alcohol in Ontario-health promotion, prevention and education, health impacts, the availability of alcohol and the creation of safer communities.
2007
- August 17 - OPHA Launches Sheela Basrur Scholarship for Public Health Students [PDF].
- August 8 - OPHA Welcomes Ontario's Injury Prevention Strategy [PDF, 94kb].
- June 20 - OPHA cautions drinking water is not the only source of lead in the home [PDF].
- March 23 - OPHA Response to Ontario Budget [PDF, 96kb].
- March 21 - Forum to highlight links between alcohol and chronic disease [PDF].
- February 5 - All Canadians should benefit from new Food Guide, says OPHA and its Food Security Workgroup [PDF].
2006
- December 15 - Healthy Schools Challenge to Engage the Creativity of Students [PDF]: The Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition congratulates the Ministries of Health Promotion and Education on the new Healthy Schools Challenge
- October 23 - OPHA holds 57th Annual Conference. This year's theme: Cooperation, Collaboration, Synergy: A Foundation for Public Health [PDF].
- June 21 - Ministry’s Active Living Strategy a step in the right direction. See a full copy of the OPHA press release [PDF].
- June 7 - The Ontario government is set to protect families' health with updated air standards that will better protect Ontarians from lead and other harmful substances. See a full copy of the Ministry of the Environment press release with supporting comments by OPHA President, Garry Aslanyan.
- May 4 - Capacity Review Committee Report with strengthen public health in Ontario: OPHA [PDF]. See additional background information in our Government Consultations section.
- March 20 - OPHA lauds formation of Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion [PDF].
2005
- December 14 - The release of the Second Report on the Health Status of Francophones in Ontario [PDF, 1.1MB]. Produced joinly by the Franco-Ontarian Institute and the Ontario PHRED Program, view their press release [PDF].
- November 21 - The Environmental Health Workgroup at OPHA has released the School Buses, Air Pollution and Children's Health: Improving Children's Health and Local Air Quality by Reducing School Bus Emissions Report [PDF, 5.9MB].
The press release [PDF] and full press statement [PDF]. - November 18 - OPHA releases report" "School Buses, Air Pollution and Children's Health" [PDF, 11kb]
- November 10 - alPHa/OPHA Annual Conference Press Release [PDF]
- September 19 - In June, 2005, with the passage of the Ontario Smoke Free Act, Ontario became a smoke-free province. In recognition of this public health victory, OPHA has created the Smoke-Free Award, to be given to an individual who has been instrumental in the passage of the Act. The award recipient (PDF) is the Honourable Dalton McGuinty, who has enthusiastically supported tobacco initiatives in Ontario.
- September 15 - As a proud member of the Canadian Partnership for Child Health and the Environment (CPCHE), the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) is pleased to announce the release of CPCHE’s Child Health and the Environment – A Primer (PDF, 2.7MB). Click here for the full press release [PDF] and additional resources.
- August 29 - The Ontario government is protecting the health of Ontarians and improving air quality with tough air pollution limits for industry, Environment Minister Laurel Broten announced today. In the Minstry of the Environment press release there was a supporting quote from OPHA.
- July 19 - The Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) is pleased about the Minister of Finance’s decision to reject the privatization of the LCBO. Click here for the full press release.
June 29 - The Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) welcomes the McGuinty government announcement on the appointment of Jim Watson to the new portfolio of Minister of Health Promotion. Click here for OPHA's full press release [PDF], and the Provincial Government's June 29th press release.
2004
- November 24 - OPHA calls on provincial government for an immediate, well-resourced healthy weights strategy
- June 22 - OPHA applauds Operation Health Protection
- May 19 - 2004 Ontario Budget: OPHA's response
- April 23 - OPHA Supports Government Public Health Plan
- March 18 - Ontario's Energy Future Should be Sustainable [PDF]
- November 14 - Beyond Coal [PDF]
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