Society has focused on treating acute health problems after they arise, and failed to place sufficient priority on preventing illness in the first place.

The World Health Organization defines health as “a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Our present health care system addresses only one dimension – the treatment of disease and/or trauma by qualified professionals in publicly funded medical facilities.

Hundreds of chemicals used in our everyday lives carry risks of increased cancer, infertility, learning disabilities and other intellectual impairment, and damage to the immune system. Despite rising cancer rates, the federal government hasn’t done enough to ensure that potentially carcinogenic environmental factors are eliminated. There are less toxic substitutes for these products, but industry pressure to maintain their registration and legal use drowns out the voices of concerned health professionals and families concerned about health.

We should remove from use chemicals known to significantly increase the risk of human cancer, immuno-suppression, endocrine disruption, neuro-toxicity and/or mutagenicity.

We can enhance population health through active living – promotion of walking, cycling and being fit. As well, as was done in New Zealand when the Green Party was in a coalition government, provide funds to expand provincial health insurance to cover proven alternative therapies that are less expensive and invasive such as chiropractic, massage, acupuncture. For healthy pre-natal care, we can improve access to midwifery services across Canada.

Healthy food choices and healthy local, organic foods are also part of improving the health of Canadians. The time bomb for health care costs of young people and children who consume a diet of processed and high calorie foods is a problem we can avoid through adopting healthier diets.

The post Focus on Prevention – “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” appeared first on Elizabeth May.

The post Elizabeth May’s Health Care Solutions appeared first on Elizabeth May.

1. Respect for our natural resources
2. Energy security for Canada
3. Government accountability and transparency
4. Respect for our First Nations
5. Economy and jobs

Topic of Next Newsletter (375 Replies)

The post Results from March Newsletter Survey appeared first on Elizabeth May.

• When: 5:30pm – 9:00pm, Thursday, September 13, 2012
• Where: Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney

The recipients are being selected by a committee consisting of:

• John Treleaven, Past President of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce;
• Dr. Margaret Fulton, OC, Past President Mount St. Vincent University;
• Dr. Ambrose Marsh, Chief of Medicine, Saanich Peninsula Hospital; and
• Elizabeth May, O.C., M.P.

The post Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Award Ceremony appeared first on Elizabeth May.

1. Public Administration: The public health insurance plan must be managed in a public, not-for-profit fashion.
2. Comprehensiveness: All residents must be covered for “medically necessary” health services.
3. Universality: All residents must be covered by the public insurance plan on uniform terms and conditions.
4. Portability: All residents must be covered by their public plan, wherever they are treated in Canada.
5. Accessibility: All residents must have access to insured health care services on uniform terms and conditions without financial charges, or discrimination based on age, health status or financial circumstances.

If the federal government walks away from enforcing these standards, some provinces may choose to privatize parts of the health care system, while others will offer a lower standard of care than their wealthier neighbours.  This is almost inevitable if the provinces with booming economies receive more in health care transfers than their poorer cousins. 

The post What is the Role of the Federal Government? appeared first on Elizabeth May.

At a time when many US States have tackled this urgent issue head on, it is ironic that Canada still downplays Lyme disease and clings to outdated standards for diagnosis and care. We need to get ahead of the curve, and help scientists who are endeavouring to create enhanced surveillance tools, such as risk maps. A national strategy, as articulated in my Private Members’ Bill, could support this work and ensure that people can be vigilant in areas where the tick is becoming established.

The public and the medical community need to be educated as to increasing incidence and range of this disease. If doctors know that the local risk has increased, they can help with early diagnosis and prevention. We need to supplement the efforts made by groups like the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation. http://canlyme.com

To learn more about my efforts against Lyme disease, I encourage you to visit my MP website, with press releases, videos, speeches, and personal stories. http://elizabethmaymp.ca/lyme-disease

The post Bill C-442: A National Lyme Disease Strategy appeared first on Elizabeth May.

We need more support for non-institutionalized mental health patients including children and youth, to provide adequate community-based support and outpatient and inpatient care by mental health practitioners, including in rural Canada where lack of facilities and trained professionals is acute.  At the same time, we need adequate institutionalized spaces for people with mental health issues that constitute a danger to themselves or to others.

We need to identify drug addiction as a health problem and focus efforts on harm reduction, treatment and prevention.

The post The Need for a National Mental Health Strategy appeared first on Elizabeth May.

In the upcoming 2015 general election, British Columbia will gain an additional six seats, for a total of 42. This change will generate boundary changes to every riding in our province.

Based on the current recommendation, a portion of the south-west corner of Saanich-Gulf Islands will move to the renamed riding of Esquimalt-Colwood.

Specifically, those living south of McKenzie Avenue, west of Quadra Street down to Cook Street, then west of Cook Street, north of Tolmie Avenue, east of Douglas Street to Tattersall Drive, southeast of Tattersall Drive to Patricia Bay Highway, and east of Patricia Bay Highway, are affected.

The next stage of this process will be a series of hearings, being held across the province by the independent commission from September 10th to October 18th. This includes one near the riding at the Victoria Conference Centre on October 17th at 7pm.

Anyone may make a presentation before the commission, offering their opinion of the proposed changes. To do so, written notice must be given to the commission no later than August 30th.

For more information on the independent commission, the proposed riding boundary changes or the upcoming hearings:

• Online: http://bit.ly/bc-redistribution
• Phone: 1-855-747-7236
• Email: bc-cb@rfed-rcf.ca
• Mail: 1095 West Pender Street, Suite 301, Vancouver, BC V6E 2M6

The post Riding Redistribution appeared first on Elizabeth May.

• Bill C-417  – Fish Inspection Act (Shark Finning)
• Bill C-436  – Canada Genuine Progress Measurement Act
• Bill C-442  – National Lyme Disease Strategy Act

…   that she has seconded or co-seconded 40 additional Private Members Bills and Motions?

… that she has spoken in Parliament over 500 times and more than any other MP? (Despite time allocation being invoked a record-shattering 28 times?!)

… that she has tabled 140 petitions?

… that she voted in 441 out of 455 recorded votes since May 2011? (96.9% attendance!)

… that she claimed less than 2/3 of the allowable limit for personal expenses?

… that she submitted over 300 substantive amendments to Bill C-38?

The post Did You Know… appeared first on Elizabeth May.