Parliament: Question on the Draft Lyme Disease Framework

Elizabeth May 

Mr. Speaker, in addition to this being International Women’s Day, it is also a deadline for the Minister of Health for comments on the federal framework on Lyme disease.

This has been brought into play by the bill I submitted in the 41st Parliament, unanimously supported in the House and the Senate, and continues to be strongly supported by members on all sides of this House. Unfortunately, the draft framework is inadequate. It needs a serious overhaul.

Could the Prime Minister assure us that the time, if it is necessary, will be taken to improve this framework?

Jane Philpott – Minister of Health

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands for her fantastic work on this very important topic, and indeed members from all parties who have been advocating on behalf of people who have been victims of Lyme disease.

I look forward to continuing to work with the member on making sure that we have a strong framework which recognizes the federal role in this, and that includes building national surveillance and annual reporting.

It includes making sure there is adequate research. It includes improving the guidelines for prevention and treatment of Lyme disease, and making sure that we raise awareness and education on how to prevent Lyme disease. I thank the member for her work.