Nova Scotia signed an agreement today, Oct. 8, allowing provinces, territories and the federal government to share public health information to help prevent or limit illness.

The Multi-lateral Information Sharing Agreement sets out what information can be shared and how it will be used.

“This agreement strengthens public health across the country by formalizing existing relationships for sharing information,” said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine. “For Nova Scotians, this means we’ll be better positioned to receive advance warning of public health threats that might be occurring in other parts of the country.”

The agreement has already been signed by British Columbia, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Other provinces are working towards signing as well.

The agreement helps Canada meet its obligations under the International Health Regulations, such as reporting notifiable diseases and events which might constitute a public health emergency to other countries.

Source: Release