OTTAWA – Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville, announced today that recreational arenas in Invermay, Weekes and Theodore are now being equipped with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), thanks to a partnership between the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF). This is in addition to thousands of other AEDs being installed in recreational arenas across the country.

Defibrillators are electronic devices used to restart a person’s heart that has stopped beating. They are safe, easy-to-use, and while they can be operated effectively by the public, training equips people with the knowledge and skills to confidently use these devices and to deliver quick CPR.

“The federal government is committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians while encouraging active and healthy lifestyles. We are well on our way to ensuring all recreational arenas across Canada are equipped with these life-saving devices,” Mr. Breitkreuz explained. Each year, up to 40,000 Canadians experience sudden cardiac arrest. The Heart and Stroke Foundation notes that as many as 85 per cent occur in public places or at home. Without rapid and appropriate treatment, most cardiac arrests will result in death. Access to early CPR and defibrillation, preferably within the first one to three minutes after cardiac arrest, increases chances of survival by as much as 75 per cent.

Quick Facts:

• The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, announced this 4-year program in February 2013.
• At this time, some 2,000 AEDs will be installed by 2016; installation updates can be obtained on the HSF’s website.
• Through this initiative, the Government of Canada is providing support to the HSF to develop a national database that will track AEDs installed in recreational arenas. The database is intended to provide local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with valuable information regarding the availability of AEDs located in their jurisdictions.
• This initiative is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada and carried out by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Recreational facilities are often the centre of community activity across our country. They host sporting activities including hockey, skating, curling and ringette, as well as community events such as town halls, club meetings and trade shows. The installation of AEDs will benefit all those who use these facilities.

“I am proud to work alongside the Heart and Stroke Foundation and its partners to support the installation of these life-saving devices. The addition of defibrillators throughout the region will be a tremendous benefit to the health of our community,” Breitkreuz concluded.

For more information about AED installation and training or to request a defibrillator for your facility, please visit: www.resuscitation.heartandstroke.ca

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