ARCHIVED - Health Canada

1. Strategic outcome:  Accessible and sustainable health system responsive to the health needs of Canadians.

2. Program activity:   Canadian Health System

3. Name of recipient:  Canada Health Infoway

4. Start date:  March 31, 2003*

* Infoway's original allocation (2001) was governed by a Memorandum of Understanding.  Infoway is presently accountable for the provisions of three active funding agreements, signed in:  March 2003 (encompasses 2001 and 2003 allocations), March 2004, and March 2007.  The first three allocations (totalling $1.2B) were provided as lump sums, whereas the 2007 allocation ($400M) is subject to new conditions; these funds flow to Infoway on an as-needed basis.

5. End date:  March 31, 2012**

**As per the 2007 funding agreement, the duration of the agreement is until the later of:  the date upon which all Grant Funding provided has been expended; or March 31, 2012.

6. Description:

Infoway is a federally funded, independent not-for-profit corporation with a mandate to foster and accelerate the development and adoption of electronic health (eHealth) information and communication technologies with compatible standards on a pan-Canadian basis.

Funding has been allocated to Infoway on four occasions: $500 million in 2001 in support of the September 2000 First Ministers' Action Plan for Health System Renewal to strengthen a Canada-wide health infostructure (with the electronic health record - EHR - as a priority); $600 million in the First Ministers' Health Accord of February 2003, to accelerate implementation of the EHR and Telehealth; $100 million as part of Budget 2004 to support the development of a pan-Canadian health surveillance system; and $400 million as a part of Budget 2007 to support continued work on EHRs and wait times reductions.

It is anticipated that Infoway's collaborative approach, where the federal, provincial and territorial governments participate toward a common goal of modernizing Canada's health information system, will reduce costs through the coordination of effort and avoidance of duplication.  It is further anticipated that eHealth technologies will significantly improve access to health care services, patient safety, quality of care and productivity.

($ millions)

7. Total Funding	8. Prior Years' Funding	9. Planned Funding 2010-11	10. Planned Funding 2011-12	11. Planned Funding 2012-13
$1,600.0	$1,426.22	To be determined***	To be determined***	To be determined***

***As per the 2007 funding agreement, funds are to be disbursed according to the annual cash flow requirements identified by Infoway.  These requirements are to be submitted to the Department within thirty days of each new fiscal year.  Infoway has not yet provided an advance estimate of its 2010-11 to 2011-12 requirements.

12. Summary of annual plans of recipient:

Infoway's overarching goal is as follows:

By 2010, every province and territory and the populations they serve will benefit from new health information systems that will help transform their health care delivery system.  Further, by 2010, the electronic health records of 50 per cent of Canadians and by 2016, those of 100 per cent of Canadians, will be available to their authorized health care professional.

In its 2009-10 Corporate Business Plan, Making Health Information Work Better for Canadians, Infoway indicated the following action areas which will continue into 2010-11 and build upon Infoway's existing business strategies:

• Participation in Healthcare Renewal:  Infoway will continue to support national, jurisdictional and local initiatives to strengthen health care in Canada through a focus on improving various areas, such as access, Aboriginal health care, chronic disease management, and wait time management.  Infoway will also continue to engage with stakeholders on issues such as the Canadian Patient Safety Institute, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, the Canadian Mental Health Commission, and the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
• Collaboration with Partners:  Infoway will continue to work with public and private sector partners to implement the pan-Canadian health infostructure.  This will include:  completing strategies to implement its Vision 2015 (for a robust and comprehensive eHealth system); engaging stakeholders to discuss EHR challenges and opportunities and to identify opportunities to collaborate; working with P/Ts to align plans and priorities with Infoway investments; and communicating with vendors.
• Targeting the Investments:  As of March 31, 2009, Infoway had approved $1.58 billion to support 283 projects across the country.  Infoway will continue to support investment in eHealth technologies. 
• Supporting Solution Deployment:  Infoway will continue to provide expertise to support its partners as they implement eHealth technologies and will monitor projects to ensure risk is well-managed.  This will include continued work on:  developing and promoting a common architecture and standards, national solutions (such as pricing agreements), and collaboration with jurisdictions to focus on ensuring the privacy and security of eHealth systems.
• Promoting Solution Adoption and Benefits Realization:  Infoway will implementing its change management services, collaborate with P/Ts and health providers on knowledge dissemination, implement, and continue to evaluate and communicate emerging benefits.

15. Link recipient's site:   www.infoway.ca

1. Strategic outcome: Accessible and sustainable health system responsive to the health needs of Canadians

2. Program activity: Canadian health system

3. Name of recipient: Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF)

4. Start date: 1996-97

5. End date: N/A

6. Description: At the time of its establishment (1996-97), CHSRF received a $66.5 million endowment. In addition, it received additional federal grants for the following purposes:

1999: $25 million to support a ten-year program to develop capacity for research on nursing recruitment, retention, management, leadership and the issues emerging from health system restructuring (Nursing Research Fund or NRF)

1999: $35 million to support the CHSRF's participation in the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

2003: $25 million to develop a program to equip health system managers and their organizations with the skills to find, assess, interpret and use research to better manage the Canadian health care system (Executive Training for Research Application or EXTRA) over a thirteen-year period.

CHSRF's vision is of timely, appropriate and high-quality services that improve the health of all Canadians. Its mission is to improve the health of Canadians by:

• Capturing the best evidence about how healthcare and other services can do more to improve the health of Canadians;
• Filling gaps in evidence about how to improve the health of Canadians, by funding research; and
• Supporting policymakers and managers to develop the skills needed to apply the best evidence about services to improve the health of Canadians.

CHSRF's work contributes to Health Canada's aim of strengthening the knowledge base to address health and health care priorities.

It should be noted that CHSRF's programs receive funding from other sources through various partnerships.

(Denomination)

7. Total Funding (in millions)	8. Prior Years' Funding (in millions)	9. Planned Funding 2010-11 (in millions)	10. Planned Funding 2011-12 (in millions)	11. Planned Funding 2012-13 (in millions)
151.5	1996 - 66.5 1999 - 60 2003 - 25	N/A	N/A	N/A

12. Summary of annual plans of recipient:

CHSRF's total 2010 operating budget is $16.7 million for the ongoing implementation of its 2009-2013 strategic plan. The program of work for 2010 provides for the following under its three strategic priorities and its communications and evaluation activities:

Strategic Priority #1:  Engaging and Supporting Citizens

Programming will focus initially on citizens as governors, i.e., citizens who are engaged in health system decision-making as members of governing boards - whether at institutional, regional or provincial levels. This will be done through an education program for board members called Effective Governance for Quality and Patient Safety, working in partnership with the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) and other organizations/groups. CHSRF and CPSI will release a report called Effective Governance for Quality and Patient Safety in Canadian Healthcare Organizations. Time will also be devoted to understanding how patients can better engage in healthcare-related decisions.

Strategic Priority #2: Accelerating Evidence-Informed Change

CHSRF will continue to enroll 28 senior fellows annually in the two-year Executive Training for Research Application (EXTRA) training program designed to achieve: knowledge of research evidence; capacity to draw on system thinking; development of collaborative professional relationships; and the ability to introduce and manage evidence-based change. The admission criteria allow up to four additional fellows from government ministries or departments on a self-funded basis, with the organization providing funds to cover the marginal cost of adding these fellows to the cohort. EXTRA aims to equip health service professionals and their organizations with the skills to find, assess, interpret and use research to better manage the Canadian health care system. Further, this program will see the publication (English and French) of the EXTRA book of 'impact' case studies through the McGill-Queen's University Press (MQUP).

The Capacity for Developmental Research and Evaluation in Health Services and Nursing (CADRE) program - established in 1999 in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research - will continue to build capacity for applied research through several initiatives, including the four Regional Training Centres, the eleven Chair programs, and the Postdoctoral Awards. The Chairs will complete a manuscript describing their experience and the lessons learned. It will serve as an excellent source of evaluative data as well as a legacy piece of interest to future chairs and funders interested in establishing applied research chair awards. The book launch will take place at the Spring 2010 Canadian Health Services and Policy Research Conference.

Also as part of its capacity development activities, CHSRF will work with the regional training centres and EXTRA, to deliver and co-host the Picking up the Pace 2010 conference, which will serve as a comparative learning event for both the EXTRA community of practice as well as the applied health service research and decision / policy making communities.

CHSRF's Change Initiatives work will identify emerging innovations and successful practices in health services and aid in their enhancement and spread within the health system, leading to the implementation of further successful change initiatives. The focus will be on supporting change-ready organizations and identifying successful change initiatives, while uncovering enablers and barriers for the broader uptake of local innovations. Activities in 2010 will include the identification of key players and their work related to enhancing and spreading change within the health system, and the exploration of how CHSRF can both help organizations implement change initiatives and also support the spread of successful initiatives. CHSRF will also identify and spread the lessons learned from CHSRF-funded initiatives that lead to successful changes and encourage their uptake.

Under its Northern Health Initiative, and encouraged by its recent work with the Nunavut Ministry of Health and Social Services, CHSRF will explore the potential for working with the northern regions by undertaking an environmental scan and needs assessment to uncover key players and their work in the North while assessing needs CHSRF might be able to address. If appropriate, CHSRF will design and implement initiatives including a workshop to be held in the North to discuss how to address a priority issue. CHSRF also expects to provide a two-year Linking Evidence to Action on Decisions (LEAD) grant on territorial remote access, and will be a partner in a commissioned research project for a book on aboriginal healthcare for medical courses

Strategic Priority #3: Promoting Policy Dialogue

As part of this priority, CHSRF will develop a suite of activities aimed at encouraging open and informed dialogue among policymakers and the public, informed by health policy researchers. CHSRF will promote research-informed options to improving Canada's health systems, by engaging health system leaders and the public with research and recommendations that can form the basis for sound policy making.

CHSRF will commission research and programming in a number of areas in health policy, including the success and failure of healthcare reform; the changing public/private split in healthcare; and the impact of the aging population.

CHSRF will continue to build on the objectives of the pan-Canadian working group on primary healthcare which it convened in 2008.

CHSRF will deliver a one-day CEO forum titled Metrics for Healthcare Quality: The Leader's Role during the EXTRA February residency session. The forum is a one-day, invitation-only annual event that brings together CEOs, senior leaders, deputy ministers and prominent experts to share their knowledge, perspective and experience on key issues in healthcare policy and management. It is hosted by CHSRF in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association and the Association of Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations.

CHSRF will work to advance the technique and support for evidence-informed policy making.

CHSRF will also continue to build on the success of the Mythbuster, Researcher on Call, and Pass it on! series.

Communications and Public Affairs

This program will support the achievement of CHSRF's corporate strategic priorities; ensure appropriate and effective dissemination of the organization's materials/initiatives to target audiences, and enhance recognition of value of CHSRF initiatives and uptake of evidence presented by CHRSF. Activities will include the redesign of its website and update of underlying technology to make it more user-friendly, cost-effective and reflective of new strategic priorities; a monthly e-bulletin that provides information on CHSRF initiatives and demonstrates the scope of CHSRF work and market it to stakeholders and media; and the development and implementation of a media relations strategy to build relationships with key media and establish a reputation for relevance through regular release of useful and informative products.

Strategic Evaluation

This program will focus on both the development and management of corporate-level evaluation activities and reporting, and on the support of program-level performance management and evaluation through the provision of advice, guidance, and training. Along with ongoing corporate performance management and evaluation, the planned corporate-level activities will include the identification and assessment of the extent and quality of evaluative materials assembled over time at CHSRF; the prioritization of future risk-based evaluation needs; and the development of a centralized data collection process

15. Link recipient's site: http://www.chsrf.ca and http://www.fcrss.ca

1. Strategic outcome: Accessible and sustainable health system responsive to the health needs of Canadians

2. Program activity: Canada Health System

3. Name of recipient: Mental Health Commission of Canada -- Conditional Grant to support Research Demonstration Projects in Mental Health and Homelessness

4. Start date: April 2008

5. End date: March 2013

6. Description: As part of Budget 2008, the federal government announced its intent to provide $110 million in funding to the MHCC to support five research demonstration projects in mental health and homelessness over five years (2008 - 2013).  The projects will focus on developing best practices and a broader knowledge base with respect to mental health and homelessness, and will strive to make real improvements in the lives of Canada's most vulnerable.

Expected results of this initiative will be:

• the development of a knowledge-base accessible to all jurisdictions;
• the identification of effective approaches to integrating housing supports and the Basket of Necessary Services or other "prerequisites";
• the development of Best Practices and Lessons Learned; produce data that is reflective of mental health issues among Canada's homeless population;
• the identification of  unique problems and solutions for diverse ethno-cultural groups within this population; and
• support improvements at each project site to address fragmentation through improved system integration and support.

(Denomination)

7. Total Funding	8. Prior Years' Funding	9. Planned Funding 2010-11	10. Planned Funding 2011-12	11. Planned Funding 2012-13
$110M	$110M	0	0	0

12. Summary of annual plans of recipient:  The principles, objectives, community engagement and design were outlined in the Project Précis and reiterated in the Commission's 2009/10 -2013/14 Business Plan.

Among the important objectives, the initiative, entitled "At Home/Chez Soi (French)/ Niapin (Cree)", will contribute to building knowledge on how to increase access to adequate housing in combination with the provision of necessary support services, and will result in the development of best practices that will support future interventions and long-term improvements to the lives of Canada's most vulnerable.

Five urban centres across Canada are participating in the demonstration projects: Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Moncton.  Each project focuses on a distinct group of homeless people living with mental illness such as those who also have a substance abuse problem, Aboriginal Canadians and non-English speaking new immigrants. The Commission is working collaboratively with provincial and municipal levels of government, researchers, local service providers and people with lived experience of mental illness and homelessness. All five projects will be in place by 2009/10, with evaluations planned for 2011/12.  

13. Link recipient's site: www.mentalhealthcommission.ca

Conditional Grant to the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation

1. Strategic Outcome: Accessible and sustainable health system responsive to the health needs of Canadians

2. Program Activity: Canadian Health System

3. Name of recipient: Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation

4. Start Date: April 1, 2007

5. End Date: March 31, 2012

6. Description: The Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation (RHF) is an independent, not-for-profit organization founded by Rick Hansen in 1988 to create solutions to improve the lives of Canadians with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to drive advances in SCI research. Funding is being used to implement the strategy of the Spinal Cord Injuries Solutions Network, namely to: (1) reduce the incidence and severity of permanent paralysis resulting from SCI; (2) increase the recovery of function following SCI; (3) reduce the incidence and severity of secondary complications associated with SCI; (4) increase the level of satisfaction with quality of life among Canadians with SCI; (5) enhance the customized response to the priority unmet needs of Canadians with SCI; and (6) establish a world class Canadian SCI registry and data management platform.

(Denomination $)

7. Total Funding	8. Prior Years' Funding	9. Planned Funding 2010-11	10. Planned Funding 2011-12	11. Planned Funding 2012-13
30,000,000	30,000,000	0	0	Not applicable

12. Summary of annual plans of recipient:   According to the Foundation's Business Plan 2008/2009-2011/2012, project work is underway in the following strategic areas: (1) developing and validating best practice guidelines for emergency response, treatment and access to primary health care; (2) supporting multi-centre clinical trials in acute care, rehabilitation and community settings; (3) Collecting and analyzing data on SCI in Canada; (4) facilitating the adoption and implementation of validated best practices as identified by translational research with the aim of improving treatment care and support.

13. Link recipient's site:  www.rickhansen.com