June 30, 2021 Brampton, Ontario Office of Sonia Sidhu, M.P. for Brampton South
Today, Royal Assent was given to Bill C-237, An Act to Establish a National Framework for Diabetes, a private members bill introduced by Liberal MP for Brampton South, Sonia Sidhu. This bill requires the Minister of Health to create and report to Parliament on a national framework to defeat diabetes.
The passage of this bill comes at the same time that Canada is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin by Sir Frederick Banting and his colleagues at the University of Toronto. This discovery remained one of the most important medical achievements of the 20th century, saved countless lives, and won Canada its first Nobel prize.
The framework will be created in consultation with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous communities, and other relevant stakeholders with the goal of improving access to diabetes prevention and treatment to ensure better health outcomes for Canadians.
The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Dr. Marie-Françoise Mégie of Quebec, who successfully moved it through the red chamber in under three weeks after it passed the House of Commons on June 2, where it also achieved unanimous support.
The legislation requires that the framework include identify the training and education needs of health care professionals related to diabetes; promote research and improve data collection on diabetes prevention and treatment; promote information and knowledge sharing; and take into consideration any existing diabetes prevention and treatment strategies and best practices, including those that focus on addressing health inequalities.
Today, 11 million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes. It is a contributing factor in strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failure requiring dialysis, as well as the leading cause of non-traumatic limb amputation and blindness. It also disproportionately affects some minority communities, including Indigenous, Black, and South Asian Canadians.
As Canadians celebrate the centennial of one of our most important medical breakthroughs, it is time to honour this discovery by coming together as a country and recommitting to helping everyone battling this chronic disease - whether they are patients, doctors, researchers, or loved ones.
Quotes
Sonia Sidhu, MP Brampton South
“I am thrilled that my fellow parliamentarians have unanimously supported this bill. Millions of Canadians are living with Canadians, and almost all of us have a loved one who does. It costs the healthcare system billions of dollars to treat and puts undue pressure on the healthcare system. Now that this bill has passed, it is time for the government and stakeholders to come together to create a strategy that will lead us in the fight against diabetes and ultimately to a cure. 100 years ago, Canada gave insulin to the world. We can lead the way again.”
Dr. Marie-Françoise Mégie, Senate co-sponsor
“Through my medical practice and my expertise with diabetic foot, I have seen first-hand the health complications of diabetes. This bill will be very useful as it will ensure the development of a national diabetes framework no matter the government in power. A strategy can help people with Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes prevent potentially life-threatening emergency situations, reduce the risk of long-term complications and enjoy a good quality of life.”
Dr. Naveed Mohammad, President and CEO, William Osler Health System
As a hospital CEO and physician, I have witnessed first hand the serious impacts of diabetes and its complications on the health and well-being of patients and the community. William Osler Health System provides care to a diverse population that experiences the highest prevalence of diabetes in Ontario – and this rate continues to grow each year. Earlier in my career, I practised medicine in northern Ontario where I also saw the effects of diabetes on the quality of life for Canadians, including Indigenous communities.
I fully support Bill C-237, an Act to Establish a National Framework for Diabetes. A national approach to this major health issue will promote improved access to diabetes prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research, and will lead to better health outcomes for Canadians. A coordinated National Framework informed by best practices will help to ensure that diabetes care delivered at the local level in Brampton, Peel Region, and the surrounding areas is actively supported by the Government of Canada.
Dr. Lawrence Loh, Medical Officer of Health, Region of Peel
Diabetes and its complications place a significant burden on the daily living, productivity and health of individuals, as well as on the economy and healthcare system. Among the leading causes of death and disability in our Region, diabetes mellitus presents the highest burden in Peel when considering mortality, potential years of life lost, and health care usage (e.g., hospitalizations). We also know that individuals with diabetes have worse outcomes associated with COVID-19 infection. An Act to Establish a National Framework for Diabetes is important legislation for advancing the study, prevention and treatment for diabetes, and will support existing local public health efforts.
Laura Newman, Advocate and Type 1 Diabetes Patient, Ottawa
Bill C-237 is a step in the right direction for diabetic Canadians. Diabetes rates have been rising in recent years, and the time is now to make real progress on technology and a potential cure, in the same place that insulin was discovered 100 years ago, which has saved countless diabetic lives, including my own.
