“Diabetes has an effect on far too many in this country resulting in billions in Canadian health care costs. My Private Members’ Bill C-237 will address this public health priority, striving to create better health outcomes for all Canadians. I am so proud that my bill has passed unanimously at second reading in the House of Commons. By working together to advance diabetes education, research, training, and improve knowledge sharing we can defeat this disease.” — Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Brampton South

March 15, 2020 – Brampton

Last week, Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Brampton South advanced her Private Members’ Bill C-237, An Act to establish a national framework for diabetes. She has been a leader on this issue in Parliament since getting elected in 2015. 

Her Private Members’ Bill passed unanimously following the second hour of debate at the second reading. It will go on to consideration at the Standing Committee on Health. 

Bill C-237 builds on MP Sonia Sidhu’s efforts to proclaim November as Diabetes Awareness Month both locally, and nationally. The bill sets out to develop a national framework designed to support improved access for Canadians to diabetes prevention and treatment. 

A new case of diabetes is diagnosed in Canada every three minutes. 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the Canadian discovery of insulin and MP Sonia Sidhu is hopeful that Canada can also lead the way to a cure. 

MP Sonia Sidhu is proud to have support on this bill from organizations and individuals such as Diabetes Canada, JDRF Canada, the CNIB Foundation, Peel’s Medical Officer of Health’s Dr. Lawrence Loh, and Dr. Naveed Mohammed of William Osler Hospital.

MP Sonia Sidhu is Chair of the All-Party Diabetes Caucus. In addition, MP Sidhu is part of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health, where she pushed forward a study to examine diabetes strategies in Canada and abroad. She also serves as Vice-Chair to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women. 

Read the full text of Bill C-237 at https://parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/43-2/bill/C-237/first-reading.