October 18, 2009
Dear Participant:
I thank you for the creation of this document and the demonstration of commitment to the continuous threat of antibiotic resistance. It was presented to Dr. Howard Njoo of the Public Health Agency of Canada on September 18th at which time it was agreed upon that one month would be reserved for PHAC comment before distribution to participants. To date there has been no response.
The current novel H1N1 influenza pandemic has focused attention on the threat of infections and, while this threat is certainly considerable, it pales in comparison to the continuous and escalating threat of antibiotic resistance among all microorganisms. I suggest we use the momentum of pandemic planning to develop robust structures for the surveillance and management of antibiotic use and resistance for the benefit of all Canadians.
I look forward to working with you to create a successor to CCAR that firmly establishes Canada as a world leader in the essential battle against antibiotic resistance.
Sincerely,
Jim Hutchinson
Chair
CCAR
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June 30, 2009
Notice to Our Readers
The Canadian Committee on Antibiotic Resistance (CCAR) was formed in 1998 as a coordinating and advocacy group for the support of Canadian efforts to control the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Incorporated in 2004, the CCAR’s membership represented those government and non-government organizations that had the common goal of reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Canada.
The CCAR provided a unique and fruitful intersection of the human health
and agrifood sectors. Working together on activities identified in the National
Action Plan to Address Antibiotic Resistance Action
Plan.Sept2004.pdf the CCAR provided outreach to the health care and
agricultural communities through a variety of activities, including professional
seminars, reports and informational documents for specific target audiences,
and through its comprehensive website. The CCAR also worked with various
levels of government to develop policy and develop solutions for managing
antibiotic resistance.
The CCAR is grateful to the Government of Canada for contributing towards
CCAR’s administrative and project costs over the past 11 years, but
the existence of the CCAR was primarily due to the tireless volunteerism
of its Board Members and Members at Large. Consequently, in 2008 it was
agreed that - given the ever expanding nature of antimicrobial resistance
- it was time to develop a more comprehensive approach to addressing AMR
issues in Canada.
As the CCAR dissolves its corporate entity the responsibilities for bringing leadership to the area of antimicrobial resistance now rests with the Public Health Agency of Canada. Since January 2009, the CCAR has worked with the Public Health Agency of Canada on a series of consultations with key stakeholders across the country. It is through these thoughtful discussions that the members of the Canadian Committee on Antibiotic Resistance are now preparing a report for the Public Health Agency of Canada on the key antimicrobial issues facing Canada today. It is the CCAR’s sincere wish that with a renewed investment of resources and talent Canada can continue to lead in the management of one of the most significant public health issues facing humankind today.
For information regarding ongoing AMR surveillance and other activities in Canada, please visit The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) at: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca.
Sincerely,
The CCAR Board
The Canadian Committee on Antibiotic Resistance
le comité canadien sur la résistance aux antibiotiques
