Prime Minister Stephen Harper is remaining true to a pre-election campaign promise by investing $260 million to set up a new national body aimed at fighting cancer.

Stephen Harper has informed the public over the establishment of the Canadian Partnership against Cancer, which gathers a team of more than 700 cancer experts who will seek effective methods for cancer prevention and treatment.

“Cancer strikes without warning, plays no favorites and touches all of us,” the prime minister said during the announcement, made at Montreal General Hospital.

Calling it a “clearing house” for the latest information on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Harper said the new agency could keep 1.2 million Canadians from developing cancer in the next 30 years and prevent more than 400,000 cancer deaths.

“We believe that through comprehensive sharing of information, surveillance, better diagnostics, that we can achieve real significant gains over a period of time,” said Harper. “This has been a plan developed by experts working in the health-care field.

“We believe that it can save lives.”

Both Harper and Clement said the agency in no way tramples on provincial jurisdictions, a contention disputed by Quebec’s health minister. The provincial government says it already has a cancer strategy in place and that Ottawa should hand over Quebec’s share of the money spent on the new project.

Jeff Lozon, president and CEO of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, will head the creation of the group in addition to his duties at St. Mike’s. Lozon said the hope is that the partnership will enhance cancer services nationwide.