WHEREAS there is no clear, coordinated and comprehensive vision of health promotion in British Columbia that sets it apart from prevention and illness care; AND WHEREAS acute care priorities and ongoing crises in the health care system are subjugating investment in British Columbia health promotion and prevention initiatives; AND WHEREAS voluntary, nonprofit organizations and frontline workers make substantial contributions to vibrant, self-reliant and sustainable communities, yet, lack of funding, restrictive criteria and inefficient coordination of existing funds are compromising the capacity of these organizations to act on the health determinants and the health status of their citizens at a time when more and more is expected of them; AND WHEREAS Health Promotion Foundations have been found to be a successful method of funding and prioritizing health promotion in other parts of the world e.g., Australia, Switzerland, Thailand, Austria and Korea: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities petition the Government of British Columbia to: 1 Support, through legislation, the establishment of an independent, at-arms-length from government, Health Promotion Foundation in British Columbia; and 2 Generate a sustainable, annual provincial contribution towards health promotion activities in British Columbia by dedicating 1.00 per person per year, or the equivalent of 4.077 million in 2003, from Medical Services Plan premiums to a Health Promotion Foundation.
