We the undersigned support the Consumer Health Information Service (CHIS). We demand that the funding cut required of the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion be rescinded, that full, stable funding for the Consumer Health Information Service be restored immediately, and that this valuable Consumer Health Information Service resource continue to be developed to become the best of its kind in the world.
With the loss of operating funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, the Consumer Health Information Service (CHIS) located at the Toronto Public Library closed on May 8, 2009.
CHIS began as an 18-month pilot project funded by the Premiers Council on Health, Well-Being and Social Justice in November 1991. The Service located at the Toronto Reference Library - opened to the public in February 1992. It included a walk-in service, local and toll-free phone line assistance, as well as the provision of tailored information packages to help consumer make informed decisions about their health. In 1993, the Ministry of Health began funding CHIS.
Since CHIS opened in 1992, approximately 115,000 people have consulted CHIS for health information, and 350,000 users have accessed the CHIS website since it became available in November 1999.
Please act today to preserve the Consumer Health Information Service. Sign this petition and add your voice to the many who are defending non-commercial, publicly funded health information for all Canadians. Send a letter (or make use of a sample letter we have provided) to your MP, the Minister of Health Promotion, and the Prime Minister.
