June 18, 2014
Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington today announced that recreational facilities in Burlington are now equipped with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), thanks to a partnership between the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Burlington facilities that received defibrillators include, Aldershot Arena, Appleby Ice Centre, Central Recreation Centre, Discovery Landing, Mainway Recreation Centre, Mountainside Arena, Nelson Arena and Skyway Arena.

“Our Government is committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians while encouraging active and healthy lifestyles. We are well on our way to ensuring all recreational arenas across Canada are equipped with these life-saving devices,” added Wallace.

Defibrillators are electronic devices used to restart a person’s heart that has stopped beating. They are safe, easy-to-use, and while they can be operated effectively by the public, training equips people with the knowledge and skills to confidently use these devices and to deliver quick CPR.

“Each year, up to 40,000 Canadians experience sudden cardiac arrest. As many as 85 per cent occur in public places or at home. Without rapid and appropriate treatment, most cardiac arrests will result in death. Access to early CPR and defibrillation, preferably within the first one to three minutes after cardiac arrest, increases chances of survival by as much as 75 percent,” stated Bobbe Wood, President of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.