News outlets report on Canada’s renewed support for an international maternal and child health initiative, as well as speakers at the Saving Every Woman Every Child summit.

Canadian Press/Hamilton Spectator: Gates backs Harper plan to help world’s poorest
“One half of the world’s most powerful philanthropic couple praised Stephen Harper’s child and maternal health initiative Thursday, urging governments everywhere to support it for their own economic good…” (Blanchfield, 5/29).

Canadian Press/Huffington Post: Harper Pledges $3.5B To Buttress Maternal, Child Health Initiative To 2020
“The Conservative government pledged an additional $3.5 billion over five years toward the prime minister’s maternal, newborn and child-health initiative, promising to ‘cajole’ more from other countries…” (Blanchfield, 5/29).

CBC News: Ottawa’s maternal health push a key move for post-2015 agenda
“…Some of the confirmed speakers include Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete, (with whom Prime Minister Stephen Harper co-chaired a United Nations commission on accountability of maternal health initiatives), Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan and the Aga Khan — not to mention the chiefs of major global institutions such as the U.N., the World Bank, and the World Health Organization…” (Do, 5/28).

Globe and Mail: Reproductive choice for women key to maternal, child health, Melinda Gates says
“Reproductive rights are an important part of global efforts to improve maternal and child health in low-income countries, Melinda Gates says. Speaking at a conference on maternal and child health in Toronto on Thursday, Ms. Gates said that when women can choose how to space their pregnancies, they and their babies will both be healthier…” (Mackrael, 5/29).

Globe and Mail: Ottawa commits to maternal health, but not safe abortion
“Prime Minister Stephen Harper opened a summit on maternal and child health with a call for renewed global funding to help vulnerable women and children, amid concerns that safe abortion and family planning have not received enough attention in the government’s plan…” (Mackrael, 5/29).

Globe and Mail: Ottawa commits $3.5-billion to improve maternal health
“Ottawa will commit another $3.5-billion in funding aimed at improving the health of moms and kids in low-income countries, a major boost for a program the Prime Minister has identified as a signature priority…” (Mackrael, 5/29).