Jaffer applauds Health Research Funding:Federal government supports cutting-edge health research at the University of Alberta

April 20, 2006

EDMONTON– Rahim Jaffer, Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona and Chair of the National Conservative Caucus is proud to support Health Minister Tony Clement’s announcement of new funding for research at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine.

"I’m proud to announce that the Government of Canada is providing this investment for health research at the University of Alberta," said Rahim Jaffer, MP for Edmonton-Strathcona.  “This funding will help put the University of Alberta and the City of Edmonton at the forefront of this government’s efforts to solve the wait times challenges facing all Canadians,”

Speaking in Calgary this morning, Minister Clement announced $273-million in new health research grants nation-wide, pledging funding for 90 individual projects in Alberta alone.

The University of Alberta will receive more than $16-million for 53 projects, including research aimed at addressing respiratory ailments such as asthma and funding to work with emergency departments to increase testing rates for osteoarthritis among Alberta’s seniors.

"This government believes that health research is a key pillar to preventing illness, promoting good health, and reducing the strain on the health care system," said Jaffer. “I’m proud to support Minister Clement’s strong commitment to the outstanding work being undertaken by researchers at the University of Alberta.”

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