Prime Minister Harper attends opening of Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute

Thank you very much everyone.  Thank you, Pamela, for that kind introduction.  Today we were piped in by some pretty impressive looking members of the Canadian Forces, and it just reminds me what a great job Pamela Wallin and her fellow panel members did on the expert panel on Afghanistan for the government of Canada.  Thank you very much.  Premier Stelmach, your Worship Mayor Mandel, Minister Ambrose, President Samarasekera, Chairman Heidecker, representatives of the University of Alberta, Chairman Wilkinson, President Weatherill, members of the Capital Health Authority, Campaign Chairman Comrie, all the donors who are here today, honourable members of council, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Members of Parliament, the Right Honourable Don Mazankowski, ladies and gentlemen. 

I'm very pleased to be here today at the opening of the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute.  Let me add my voice to those who have suggested the name is extremely well chosen, not just because Don is the long-time champion of healthcare, but because he has also put his heart into serving his community, his province, and his country for 40 years.  Maz was, of course, at one time referred to as the Minister of Everything.  He was probably the most powerful non-Prime Minister the country has ever had, and he has, since leaving office, put his many talents to many public policy causes, from reform of Alberta's healthcare system to renewal of the federal public service through the prime ministerial taskforce that he currently co-chairs and that we appreciate.

Just as Albertans and all Canadians should be proud of Don Mazankowski, so should they be proud of this state-of-the-art facility.  Building on the University of Alberta Hospital's already sterling reputation for heart and healthcare excellence, the institute is attracting top international cardiac doctors and researchers because they know it is second to none in the world, and that means that Albertans and all Canadians will be getting the world's best cardiac care right here in Edmonton.  The institute embodies the best aspects of Canada's healthcare system: governments, publicly-spirited citizens, the private sector, and healthcare professionals working together to make life better for their fellow Canadians. 

Someone dies of heart disease in Canada every seven minutes.  It touches, as Pamela mentioned, the lives of virtually every Canadian family.  My father's life was extended for seventeen years due to the treatment of healthcare professionals.  But thanks to the province, the Capital Health Authority, the University of Alberta and the host of private donors, Canada now has this outstanding new facility that will play a major role in the global fight against the disease. 

I'd like to congratulate Premier Stelmach and former Premier Klein and their governments for channelling some of the province's prosperity into a public institution that will benefit not just all Albertans but all Canadians; for while the Mazankowski Heart Institute is located here in Alberta's capital, it is going to help save the lives of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Thank you and congratulations to all of you.

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