Harper pledges money for cancer fight

Last Updated: Saturday, December 10, 2005 | 9:45 PM ET

CBC News

A Conservative government would adopt a national strategy to control cancer, the leading cause of early death for Canadians, Tory Leader Stephen Harper said Saturday.

The Conservatives would spend $50 million a year in new money to fund an existing plan developed by more than 700 experts and cancer survivors, Harper said during a campaign stop in St. Catharines, Ont.

The Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (CSCC) was developed by the federal government with the provinces, territories and cancer organizations, the group's website says.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper speaks during a campaign stop in St. Catharines, Ontario on Saturday.

It hopes to prevent and cure cancer, and increase the survival rate and quality of life for cancer victims by sharing and implementing research.

An action plan was released in 2002 and is being implemented, but the CSCC is "still seeking to encourage further investment from all stakeholders," its website says.

Harper said the plan involves a virtual network that "will facilitate the communication of cancer-care knowledge across Canada, in collaboration with, and respecting the jurisdiction of, the provinces."

He said the all parties voted for Conservative MP Steven Fletcher's June motion to fund the cancer strategy, but the Liberals have not allocated the money.

Duceppe wants more money for forest jobs

Campaigning in the northern Quebec town of Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe called on the next federal government to protect jobs in the forest industry.

• FROM NOV. 24, 2005: Domtar closes Quebec mill, cuts 425 jobs

In November, Domtar announced it was closing the mill in the town, Lebel-sur-Quévillon's main employer.

Duceppe said the government should be providing more loan guarantees to help the forest industry.

The Liberals and NDP had no campaign events scheduled for Saturday.