Program and public policy

Firearm-related deaths are a significant public health problem in Canada. Over the past 30 years, the Canadian Parliament has implemented a number of measures to alleviate this problem. Most of these measures focus on the control of non-restricted firearms such as rifles and shotguns. These measures were implemented gradually following the adoption of three bills, i.e. Bill C-51 (in 1977), Bill C-17 (in 1991), and Bill C-68 (in 1995). Since 1998, following the adoption of Bill C-68, all owners of non-restricted firearms have been required to hold a licence to possess firearms and to register each firearm that they own.

In recent years, several bills have been tabled with a view to eliminating the compulsory registration of non-restricted firearms. The most recent proposal is Bill C-391, the Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act (Government of Canada, 2009). More specifically, Bill C-391 proposes to eliminate the obligation for individuals and businesses to regi…

Given that certain questions have been raised regarding the results of studies on the effects of SISs, the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) has taken the initiative of carrying out a critical analysis of these studies.

The objective of this report is to evaluate the relevance of establishing supervised injection sites in the province of Québec. It is based on a critical analysis of the scientific research carried out to date on the effects of SISs and on a review of the literature on the related ethical and legal issues as well as on acceptability and operational factors related to such sites.

This abstract offers highlight of a knowledge synthesis on the implementation process for policies, programs or measures favourable to healthy eating in the schools. The data reported concerns schools at the elementary and secondary levels. The synthesis reveals a portrait of the favourable factors and obstacles to implementing school food policies, as well as describing a systematic approach to maximize the chances of success of this implementation. This knowledge will be useful to any individual or organization who wishes to contribute to the success of the Québec Framework Policy on Healthy Eating and Active Living, Going the healthy route at school (Québec, 2007).

This synthesis documents experiences of implementing policies, programs or measures to promote healthy eating in the schools in socio-economic and cultural contexts comparable to the situation in Canada. This data has been made accessible so that this knowledge can be applied within the Québec context.

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No nation today is immune from the obesity epidemic. Developing an action plan, a national strategy, policies and programs to manage the epidemic and prevent its progression is a major concern worldwide. While a number of World Health Organisation (WHO) reports published over the past few decades helped prompt member States to coordinate nutrition plans, the WHO’s Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health released in 2004 strengthens government action on obesity. Governmental action on obesity and/or its main determinants, nutrition and exercise is very broad in scope, has several targets for action, involves many actors and is outlined in large reports.

At the 2006 Québec Annual Public Health Conference (Journées annuelles de santé publique or JASP), held in Montréal, Québec, Canada, a symposium focuses on the elements included in an effective obesity-prevention government plan. Plans, programs, strategies and policies adopted in over a dozen Western countries a…