ST. JOHN'S, N.L.- Canada's health minister says the media have left Canadians misinformed about Ottawa's intentions regarding a controversial
treatment for multiple sclerosis. Leona Aglukkaq says the federal government
"has never said no" to clinical trials.

The minister, in Newfoundland to attend a meeting of her provincial and territorial counterparts, says Canada will move forward with countrywide trials as soon as she receives findings from seven research projects announced in May.

She says preliminary results are expected within a few months. Aglukkaq says
the provinces are "on side" with Ottawa's plan, even though some are moving
ahead with research projects of their own.

The treatment, developed by Italian doctor Paolo Zamboni, involves widening
constricted neck veins to drain iron deposits that are thought to damage
brain cells in MS sufferers.