In September 1998, Health Minister Allan Rock announced new federal hepatitis C funding of +50 million over five years for initiatives relating to community-based support, research, and disease prevention. Since then, broad cross-country consultations have taken place with individuals and their caregivers who are infected, or affected, by this disease; non-governmental organizations; provinces and territories; and health care professionals. The result is a relevant, compassionate and targeted new Health Canada Hepatitis C Program with a four-point action agenda, that encompasses five components--prevention; community-based support; care and treatment support; research; and ongoing management, evaluation and public involvement.