Building on the Canadian Medical Association’s commitment to truth, reconciliation and improving the health outcomes of Indigenous Peoples, the CMA Foundation is contributing $2 million to the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund (IPRF). This funding will support health, social and economic priorities in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. 

An Indigenous-led organization launched in response to COVID-19, IPRF supports Indigenous organizations and communities while taking a long-term view on community resilience. CMA Foundation’s contribution will strengthen community-led efforts to address the impact that COVID-19 is having on individual and community health and the systems that support them. A portion of these funds will also assist in the development of a long-term resource fund to support a future for strong, vibrant, and self-determining Indigenous communities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on Indigenous communities across Canada,” says Allison Seymour, CMA Foundation president. “We are pleased to partner with IPRF to support the organization’s critical work and to collaborate in knowledge sharing and knowledge translation, leading to meaningful action and improved outcomes for the health and well-being of First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals and communities across Canada.” 

Wanda Brascoupé Skarù rę’, Kanien’keha and Anishinabe, and Victoria McKenzie Grant Teme-Augama Anishnabai of the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund, are honoured to collaborate with the CMA Foundation. “These funds will help IPRF continue to support the many Indigenous-led organizations and communities through this period as they adapt, act and respond to the effects of COVID-19 from coast to coast to coast. We look forward to a deep and rewarding relationship with CMA Foundation. It is relationships and partnerships like this that IPRF hopes to model for Canadian philanthropy on engaging with Indigenous-led organizations.”

CMA Foundation joins a group of philanthropists, changemakers and the IPRF leadership — a diverse group of Indigenous advisors from the East, South, West, and North — to provide immediate resources for preparedness, health care support and long-term resources. This approach supports community-based traditional knowledge, contemporary health services and ways of being that emanates from lived experience.
 

The CMA Foundation is pleased to announce a $1 million commitment to support access to COVID-19 vaccines in West and Central Africa.

“Widespread global vaccination is critical to exiting this pandemic,” said CMA Foundation President Allison Seymour. “The CMA Foundation is committed to equity and very pleased to support UNICEF Canada’s COVID-19 international vaccination efforts to protect everyone so we can limit the spread of the virus and the emergence of new variants, for the health of all.”

It's estimated the funding will help provide two doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 180,000 people in Mali, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire — through vaccine delivery, technical expertise, cold chain strengthening and immunization logistics management and health systems strengthening.

This announcement builds on the CMA’s ongoing advocacy work to improve global access to COVID-19 vaccines.

As of May 2022, UNICEF has helped supply more than 1.5 billion vaccine doses worldwide. Working with governments, manufacturers and partners, UNICEF is the global leader in vaccine delivery to low- and middle-income countries.

To support the emergency response efforts in Ukraine, the CMA Foundation is pleased to announce a total contribution of $250,000 to UNICEF Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.

The CMA Foundation has committed to match funds raised for UNICEF Canada’s Help, Hope and Healing appeal, up to $200,000. The initiative, launched earlier this month with Children’s Healthcare Canada and Pediatric Chairs of Canada, aims to urgently address children’s health care needs in Ukraine including support for health care workers caring for children and youth, strengthening the on-the-ground infrastructure, securing critical medical supplies, and providing key services and safe spaces for children and their families.

The CMA Foundation is also providing $50,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to support its ongoing humanitarian assistance, including mobile health teams, support for critical infrastructure and provision of emergency supplies. 

“We add our voice to the international community in calling for a rapid end to the devastating war in Ukraine, while also taking action to expand humanitarian relief efforts,” says Allison Seymour, CMA Foundation president. 

Funding from the CMA Foundation builds on the CMA’s earlier statement of support for health care colleagues and patients in Ukraine.

The CMA Foundation is pleased to announce a grant of $1 million to the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC) to support a national formalized mentorship program for Indigenous medical learners and to enable capacity building within the organization.

“IPAC has existed, in various forms, for over 30 years and our overarching goal has always been to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit medical students, residents and physicians in whatever career path they choose,” says Dr. Nel Wieman, IPAC president. “IPAC as an organization has sometimes struggled with sustainability. This funding opportunity will bolster IPAC's capacity as a national medical organization, allowing us to better respond to the needs of our membership and to more equitably work with our national medical partners.”

“COVID-19 combined with the ongoing inter-generational trauma and systemic racism experienced by Indigenous medical students and residents has amplified the urgent need for the trusted leadership and support services provided by IPAC,” says Allison Seymour, CMA Foundation president. “IPAC has the credibility and experience to lead and advance this important initiative in support of Indigenous physicians and medical learners.”

The CMA Foundation grant will support the sustainability and longevity of IPAC and the development of a national mentorship program to expand the current ecosystem of Indigenous medical learners and physicians across Canada. The program will identify and support emerging leaders by linking Indigenous medical learners to a mentor who can provide guidance, training, advice and growth opportunities.

"As Indigenous Peoples, learning from our Elders and Knowledge Keepers is part of our culture. Mentorship encourages mutual respect and strengthens Indigenous ways. I look forward to working with IPAC as they develop their nation-wide mentorship program in support of Indigenous medical learners and early career physicians," says Syexwalia, Knowledge Keeper and Elder from Squamish Nation.

This funding aligns with goals identified in Impact 2040, the CMA’s new strategy, to support health and the health workforce, and specifically to work in allyship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples to support the development of an impactful action plan to improve the health outcomes of Indigenous Peoples.

The CMA Foundation is pleased to announce a commitment of $2.5 million to advance knowledge, evidence and innovation in virtual care research in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

“COVID-19 highlighted the importance of virtual care to meet the needs of patients while preventing the spread of the virus,” says Allison Seymour, CMA Foundation president. “The CMA Foundation is pleased to support research in this area to further innovation for future virtual care models and contribute to the sustainability of our health care system.”

Canadians embraced virtual care options at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and a national poll conducted by the Canadian Medical Association shows there’s an appetite to see virtual care continued, improved and expanded after the pandemic subsides. 

The CMA Foundation funding will support research that analyzes the impacts of virtual care on the physician and patient experience, equity of access to care and outcomes of care; explores how virtual care has evolved since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; and how virtual care can continue and contribute to the recovery of the health care system in Canada in a post-pandemic world.

Today’s announcement complements the CMA Foundation’s ongoing efforts to positively impact the health of Canadians through strategic granting. It builds on prior investments for COVID-19 relief, bringing the total to more than $36.5 million since the pandemic was declared in March 2020.

The CMA Foundation is pleased to announce a commitment of $1.94 million to the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) to support CANPREPP, an online portal where medical learners can discover and experience residency programs across Canada and programs can promote themselves.

CANPREPP, Canada’s Portal for Residency Program Promotion, equals the playing field for medical learners and programs – every student can access every program and every program can promote themselves to every student.

“Selecting a residency program is a crucial milestone for medical learners that’s been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Allison Seymour, CMA Foundation president. “The CMA Foundation is pleased to contribute to the development of CANPREPP to provide a solution for medical learners to have an equal opportunity to access residency programs across Canada.”

CANPREPP is the solution that came out of a virtual design sprint hosted early in 2020 to develop a tool for students and residency programs to connect virtually. The sprint team included medical students, residents, program directors and medical school deans from several organizations including AFMC, CMA and the CMA Foundation.

To learn more, read: Making better matches: virtual portal brings equity to the connection between learners and residency programs.

Ottawa (ON) – October 14, 2020 – The CMA Foundation is announcing today a $2 million grant to the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI) for LTC+: Acting on Pandemic Learning Together, a program designed to drive improvements in long-term care and retirement homes across Canada. The CMA Foundation’s commitment doubles the current available funds and will allow more homes to access the resources offered through the program.

“The impact of COVID-19 on Canada’s seniors living in long-term care and retirement homes is tragic. We must do better at keeping residents and caregivers safe,” says Allison Seymour, president of the CMA Foundation. “Our contribution to support the LTC+ program, in collaboration with CFHI, will effect much needed change by providing access to critical resources and improving practices in long-term care and retirement homes.”

The LTC+ program focuses on supporting improvements to pandemic preparedness in long-term care and retirement homes in six key areas: preparation, prevention, people in the workforce, pandemic response and surge capacity, planning for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 care and the presence of family. The program was developed by CFHI and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) following a report that explored lessons learned from homes that experienced outbreaks of COVID-19 between March and June 2020.  

“We owe it to those affected by early outbreaks of COVID-19 in long-term care to learn from their experiences and hard-won lessons. The collaboration with the CMA Foundation will enable more long-term care and retirement homes to join efforts to accelerate adoption of promising practices that can strengthen pandemic preparedness and high-quality care,” says Jennifer Zelmer, CFHI president and CEO.

Today’s announcement is part of the CMA Foundation’s ongoing commitment to provide COVID-19 relief in key priority areas. To date, the Foundation has committed over $20 million to front-line health workers, hospitals, medical learners and innovation in medicine in Canada, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  It also provided $10 million to support community-led relief efforts for homeless and vulnerable individuals.

Critical resources like Be There and Virtual Jack Talks will help young people support themselves and one another through these challenging times

Toronto (ON) – May 28, 2020 – Today, the CMA Foundation (CMAF) and Jack.org, the only Canadian charity training and empowering young leaders to revolutionize mental health, announced they will bring much-needed digital mental health education to young people across Canada. The CMAF’s $250K contribution will allow Jack.org to develop and disseminate online mental health education to Canada’s youth, who are facing increased isolation and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the key programs the CMAF’s funding will assist include Be There, Virtual Jack Talks, Virtual Jack Summits, Virtual Jack Chapters and Do Something. It will also help grow Jack.org’s Digital Education Library with the development of new awareness and education materials.

“COVID-19 is proving challenging for so many Canadians, including our young people who may find themselves isolated and struggling with mental health issues,” says CMAF President, Allison Seymour. “We are extremely pleased to support Jack.org and the important work they do in the delivery of key programs and resources that will support young Canadians today and into the future.”

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Jack.org has shifted all of its in-person programming to engaging digital formats, reaching more than a million young people through resources like Be There, Virtual Jack Talks, and their COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub built in partnership with Kids Help Phone and School Mental Health Ontario. Digital education can help significantly with addressing Canada’s current mental health crisis. It can also contribute to a comprehensive, long-term solution that helps young people understand how to take care of their own mental health, look out for one another, access further support, increase resiliency and reduce potential suicides.

“Digital education is a key component in ensuring young people have access to the ​resources​ they need to build the skills required to better support their own mental health and look out for their peers and loved ones,” says Jesse Hayman, Vice President, Jack.org.  “With funding and support from the CMA Foundation, Jack.org can continue working to ensure that young people are prepared to take care of themselves and look out for one another during this time of crisis, while also propelling us into the new future for youth mental health.”

For more information or to learn more about Jack.org’s digital mental health education programs, please visit Jack.org.

Ottawa (ON) – May 11, 2020 – The CMA Foundation (CMAF) is announcing today a $10 million donation to address the needs of vulnerable populations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in communities across Canada.

Through a strategic collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the CMAF is donating funds directly to municipalities to support their efforts to reach, protect and assist their most vulnerable residents — including those experiencing homelessness, food insecurity and mental health and substance use challenges.

“The pandemic is increasing the pressures and risks already experienced by Canada’s most vulnerable people,” says Allison Seymour, CMAF president. “At the CMAF, we’re committed to supporting the health of Canadians and the communities we live in. We’re so pleased to be able to make a donation that will help address the most critical needs in municipalities across Canada.”

“FCM welcomes this donation and understands the impact it will have in communities across Canada,” said Bill Karsten, FCM President. “As frontline governments, municipalities see first-hand where and how this pandemic hits hardest, and they know how to effectively direct these funds in order to get tangible results. This initiative will empower them to better reach, protect and assist the most vulnerable among us—including those experiencing homelessness or grappling with mental health and substance use challenges.”

The COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Vulnerable Populations will go toward items such as:

• creating dedicated spaces to support physical distancing measures;
• medical and support services for people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges;
• community food programs;
• personal protective equipment for community support workers; and
• other measures designed to build community resiliency and support sustainable recovery.

Today’s announcement builds on another sizeable contribution made by the CMAF to front-line health workers, hospitals and family medicine; on Apr. 21, it announced an unprecedented $20 million donation to support urgent needs within the health care system through targeted grants.

Ottawa (ON) – April 21, 2020 – In recognition of the exceptional pressures facing health care today, the CMA Foundation (CMAF) is pleased to announce a commitment of $20 million, one of the largest COVID-19 donations to date. This funding will be allocated through targeted grants to support urgent needs within the healthcare system, including:

• Innovation in family medicine: $5 million will be granted to the Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine (FAFM)’s COVID-19 pandemic response and impact grant program (Co-RIG). 
• Frontline hospitals and COVID-19 crisis response efforts by physicians and health care workers: 
  • $5 million will be allocated to the Frontline Fund for Healthcare Workers which will benefit hospitals and health care workers across Canada with 100+ bed count and Intensive Care Units (ICU);
  • $5 million will be set up as a fund by the CMA Foundation to benefit community hospitals;
  • $250,000 will be granted to Doctors without Borders / Médecins sans frontières’ COVID-19 Crisis Fund.
• Medical learners: More than $5 million will be granted to 17 medical schools to address financial hardships experienced by medical students and residents in the context of COVID-19.

"Canada’s physicians and health care providers are responding to COVID-19 in a challenging environment where resources are scarce and many unknowns affect their daily work," says Allison Seymour, CMAF President. "We hope that through this significant donation we can have an impact that accelerates the efforts of the frontline across Canada as it responds to the threat of COVID-19. We also want to take this opportunity to thank Canada’s physicians and healthcare providers for their courage and dedication."

Today’s announcement builds on the work underway at the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) which is focused on supporting physicians and medical learners as they rally together to address the pandemic. Working with federal officials and with its physician-members, the CMA has been providing policy expertise, pressing for action, informing physicians and the public, and developing a range of resources.

The CMA Foundation (CMAF) is pleased to add its voice to National Resident Awareness Week 2020 and to recognize the valued contribution of medical residents across the country. Whether its caring for patients in urban, rural or remote communities, advocating for health equity, or investigating new approaches to support patients’ needs, medical residents are the future of medicine in Canada. 

At the CMAF, we work with universities as key partners in medical education, recognizing the importance of supporting the renewal of the profession. Our bursaries program for students pursuing medicine is one example of our commitment to the future of medicine. 

Again this year, the CMAF will provide bursaries and awards to students in every Canadian medical school. This program was first launched in 2017 to mark the 150^th anniversary of the Canadian Medical Association.

We know that medical residents share in CMAF’s vision of health care excellence. We take this opportunity to express our most sincere appreciation for choosing medicine and for making such a significant commitment to the health of Canadians.

Alison Seymour
President, CMA Foundation

Toronto (ON) – Aug. 11, 2019 – The CMA Foundation (CMAF) is thrilled to announce the 15 recipients of the 2019 Healthy Canadians Grants program. Launched in 2018, the Healthy Canadians Grants program supports community-run initiatives that improve the quality of life for patients and vulnerable populations living in those communities. This year, 15 grants of $20,000 will provide support to youth mental health and/or substance use initiatives across the country.

“We know mental health and substance use are two important determinants of health, especially for youth and vulnerable populations,” says Allison Seymour, CMAF president. “Our goal is to focus on improving the health of Canadians and supporting the profession through impactful charitable giving to further excellence in health care.”

The 2019 Healthy Canadians Grants recipients are:
 

• FASD Society for BC (The Asante Centre): Peer Mentorship Program – Surrey, BC: The program involves weekly sessions for youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), facilitated by employees with FASD. The goal of these sessions is to help youth who are predisposed to mental health and substance use concerns to build strategies for resiliency as well as develop self-awareness and advocacy skills.
• Dan’s Legacy Foundation: East Van Dan’s – East Vancouver, BC: Working in partnership with other community organizations, the program delivers trauma-informed and culturally-informed counselling, designed to meet the needs of youth who have cognitive disorders, spectrum disorders and mental health challenges, and who are living with the impacts of trauma. The goal of this program is to eliminate barriers to mental health services for youth by going directly into the communities where they live.
• ARCHES: Hip Hop for Healing – Lethbridge, AB: The program offers song writing and recording opportunities for vulnerable youth, particularly homeless youth who have significant physical health, mental health, and/or substance use concerns, while leveraging this opportunity to connect them to physical health, mental health, and addictions supports.
• FASD Network of Saskatchewan: FASDiversity Support Group – Saskatoon, SK: The program involves monthly support meetings held specifically for youth who live with or suspect they may live with FASD and could benefit from sexual education and/or identify as a member of the LGBTQ2S community.
• Nor’West Co-op Community Health Centre: Building Healthy Buddies – Winnipeg, MB: The program trains youth participants to become peer supports within their communities by providing them with the skills and tools to help recognize signs and symptoms of mental health struggles and substance use in their peers.
• Northwestern Health Unit: Four Directions Community Pathways Partnership – Kenora and Rainy River Districts, ON: The program implements a community-based framework using culturally-competent student navigators to coordinate health and social services for at-risk students, particularly Indigenous students who are transitioning from other communities.
• Scadding Court Community Centre: HeARTwork – Toronto, ON: The program involves youth-led arts-based workshops in spoken word, music, and visual art. Workshops are geared toward low-income, racialized youth to increase their resiliency for coping with various social and economic challenges that affect their community.
• Prévention C.É.S.A.R. Petite-Nation: Programme A.D.O.S. en prévention de la toxicomanie et autre dépendance – Papineauville, QC: The program offers substance use prevention workshops for youth aged 11 to 17 years at 14 schools in the region, with the goal of preventing the consumption of psychoactive substances.
• Partners for Youth Inc: Youth in Action for Mental Health – Fredericton, NB: The program engages youth leadership teams at high schools to develop initiatives to raise awareness of mental health issues, reduce stigma, and promote positive mental health and wellness.
• Potlotek First Nation: Honouring Our Youth (We Matter Too) – Chapel Island, NS: The program develops an addictions and mental health toolkit designed to provide information and resources to help Mi’kmaq youth better reflect on the complex reasons for addictions, mental illness and suicide.
• Laing House Association: The Den (Youth Outreach and Peer Support) – Sackville, NS: The program offers drop-in support including peer support mentorship, wellness programming, and connections to external service providers in a safe, welcoming, youth-focused space called The Den.
• CMHA Prince Edward Island: Gay Straight Alliance – Kings County, PEI: The program promotes inclusivity and wellness for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Kings County. The program involves bi-weekly peer support meetings for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth led by older youth in the community. The newly formed group plans to host wellness events, which allies will be welcome to attend. The goal of these meetings is to improve the social connection and sense of belonging of the participants, as well as their mental health and substance use status.
• Community Mental Health Initiative: Youth Voices – Corner Brook, NL: The program recruits youth from seven schools in the Western region of Newfoundland to lead a student team in their school.  The teams will plan and attend a one-day leadership rally where they will develop an action plan that includes five health promotion initiatives for the school year. The goal of this program is to support youth, parents, and communities in working together to take action to address mental health and substance use issues on a local level.
• Hamlet of Naujaat: Building on Strengths in Naujaat – Naujaat, NU: The program organizes land trips for vulnerable youth along with Elders and health care professionals. These trips promote skill building that will help the youth become independent and provide country food for their families. The goal of these trips is to prevent suicidality by enhancing resiliency and reducing substance use.
• Jack.org: 2019 Northern Jack Summit – YT, NT and NU: The program supports youth leaders from the North in organizing an annual summit that will bring 50 youth from across the territories to discuss the barriers to mental health they face and develop strategies to overcome them. Youth will have the opportunity to develop action plans for their communities.

Created by the Canadian Medical Association, the CMAF provides impactful charitable giving to registered Canadian charities and qualified donees that further excellence in health care. The CMAF is working with its partners – medical associations, affiliates and charitable organizations – to fund programs and initiatives that positively affect the health of Canadians and impact physicians and physician learners.

To commemorate International Women’s Day, the CMA Foundation has made a $25,000 donation to support the Canadian Women’s Foundation’s work to help women move themselves out of poverty. 

This donation will go to programs that provide women with training in the skilled trades and technology, self-employment, and social purpose enterprise. The programs also offer a range of wrap-around supports, like childcare, emergency loans, mentoring, and financial literacy training.

“There are many obstacles faced by women who live in poverty, from a lack of affordable housing and childcare, to the absence of a supportive social network. Women need access to resources and training that build their confidence and skills to move forward,” says CMA Foundation President, Allison Seymour. “The journey out of poverty is not linear, it’s often two steps forward, one step back, a step sideways. Poverty is a critical determinant of health and through this donation the CMA Foundation offers its support to women, so they can live full and healthy lives.”

The CMA Foundation’s donation will help the Canadian Women’s Foundation support 750+ women each year. Through funding, research, advocacy, and knowledge sharing, the Canadian Women’s Foundation works to achieve systemic change that includes all women. By supporting community programs, they empower women and girls to move themselves out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence and leadership.

The CMA Foundation is the private foundation of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). Through collaborative relationships with our partners, the CMA Foundation provides impactful giving to improve the health of Canadians and support excellence in health care. 

The CMA Foundation has made a donation of $10,000 to the Canadian Red Cross in support of their Ottawa-Gatineau Tornado Appeal.

From the moment the tornados hit, Red Cross teams have been on the scene in Ottawa and Gatineau, registering impacted families and working with local authorities to run emergency shelters and distribute relief items. Their experienced disaster volunteers are also helping families cope emotionally with the stress and uncertainty of the situation.

This donation, on behalf of the Canadian Medical Association, MD Financial Management and Joule, will help the Canadian Red Cross be there 24/7 to provide the help and comfort they need.

To show its appreciation for hosting the Canadian Medical Association’s (CMA) inaugural Health Summit, the CMA Foundation is donating $12,500 to two local charities that play a vital role in the lives of many Winnipeg residents, Ka Ni Kanichihk and Women’s Health Clinic.

Ka Ni Kanichihk is an Indigenous centre that identifies programs and services that focus on wholeness and wellness, helping people to help themselves. Their goal is to build a sustainable future for their community. Empowering better care for Indigenous Peoples was just one discussions that took place at the Health Summit, and a community of interest has been established to examine indigenous health inequities and ways of resolving these inequities on a personal, organizational and institutional level.

Women’s Health Clinic is a feminist, community health clinic that offers a range of services with a holistic approach that emphasizes prevention, education and action. They encourage people to learn all they can about what contributes to their health and well-being so that they can make informed decisions.

“We are grateful to the City of Winnipeg for hosting the CMA’s Health Summit and are thrilled to support two organizations that provide critical support to Indigenous communities and women across the city,” says Dr. Laurent Marcoux, CMA President.

To find out more about these organizations, please visit http://www.kanikanichihk.ca/ or http://womenshealthclinic.org/ .

The CMA Foundation is proud to celebrate its first anniversary on May 4, 2018. The CMA Foundation was created by the Canadian Medical Association, in partnership with its subsidiaries MD Financial Management and Joule, to provide impactful charitable giving to registered Canadian charities that further excellence in health care and support the causes physicians are most passionate about.

Since its formation, only a short year ago, the CMA Foundation has provided a number of significant grants that address the Foundation’s three pillars: medical education, physician wellness and outreach.

More specifically:

• $399,500 for the CMA 150^th Anniversary Bursaries and Awards Program: Launched in August 2017, in partnership with the CMA, this program celebrates the values of the medical profession and helps to alleviate some of the financial challenges faced by many Canadian medical students. Over five years, the CMA Foundation will provide bursaries in the amount of $8,500 and awards in the amount of $15,000 to more than 170 students from Canada’s 17 medical schools.
• $50,000 to the Canadian Red Cross: In October 2017, this donation helped provide immediate and long-term disaster relief support, including care to Canadians affected by the wildfires in British Columbia.
• $60,000 to Tree Canada: In November 2017, the CMA Foundation announced this grant to support the planting of healing trees on hospital grounds in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver. This grant also supports MD Financial Management’s efforts to reduce the use of paper.
• $60,000 for the Resident Doctors of Canada’s new resiliency training program: In November 2017, a grant of $60,000 was pledged to the Resident Doctors of Canada’s new resiliency training program to support the wellness of medical residents.
• $20,000 to the Royal University Hospital Foundation: In April 2018, a donation of $20,000 was given to the hospital caring for survivors of the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy. These funds helped provide immediate disaster-relief support for the Royal University Hospital and its staff as they responded to the tragic bus accident, through the ongoing treatment of patients and the mental and physical health of the medical staff.
• $150,000 for the Healthy Canadians Grants program: Launched in May 2018, in partnership with the CMA, this new grant program will fund innovative grassroots health initiatives that support vulnerable populations and contribute to vibrant and healthy communities across Canada.

The CMA Foundation also supports the Donor Advised Fund program, which offers one of the most effective and tax-advantageous ways for donors to give to charity and establish a lasting legacy.

Building on the growth and success of its first year, the CMA Foundation, through collaborative relationships with partners, continues to focus on causes that directly support Canadian physicians and physician learners.

The CMA Foundation has made a donation of $20,000 to the Royal University Hospital Foundation. We hope that this donation will help provide immediate disaster-relief support for the Royal University Hospital and its staff as they continue to respond to the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus accident.

The Royal University Hospital received and is treating the victims of this heartbreaking accident. We hope our donation will help the hospital with the ongoing treatment of these trauma patients as well as support the mental and physical health of responding medical staff.

This donation to the Royal University Hospital Foundation is effective, appropriate and aligned with our priorities of supporting patients and physicians.

We extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy. We recognize and applaud the efforts of all the medical personnel and first responders, and thank them for everything they did at the accident site, in the hospital and beyond.

The Canadian Medical Association, Joule and MD Financial Management are members of the CMA Foundation.