Rob’s Alzheimer’s Bill Receives Royal Assent

OTTAWA, ON - The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Fort Erie, released the following statement regarding the passage of his Private Member’s Bill C-233, An Act respecting a national strategy for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. (ADOD)

“I am pleased to see the passage of this important legislation on behalf of the 747,000 Canadians who are afflicted with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Bill C-233 will enable the government to work collaboratively with provincial and territorial partners and stakeholders to develop a national strategy for this terrible disease. This coordinated strategy is key to early diagnosis and treatment, which will lead to positive health outcomes for ADOD patients and their families.”

“3 out of every 4 Canadians know someone who has ADOD and it is my fervent hope that this legislation will ultimately lead to a cure. I am grateful to my colleagues from all parties for their support. In particular, I would like to thank my fellow colleague, the Member from Don-Valley West, Rob Oliphant, for seconding this vital legislation”.

Background:

Components of this strategy include a) developing specific national objectives to improve the situation of persons suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and decrease the burden of those diseases on Canadian society; b) encouraging greater investment in all areas of research related to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia; c) coordinating with international bodies in the fight against these diseases and building on Canada’s existing contributions in this field; d) assisting the provinces in developing and disseminating emerging clinical diagnostic and treatment guidelines based on new research; e) assisting the provinces in assessing and disseminating best practices for improving the quality of life of people suffering from dementia and their caregivers; f) assisting the provinces in developing and disseminating information on the importance of prevention and management of and early intervention in Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia; g) and making recommendations in respect of the development of national guidelines for standards of dementia care that are founded on evidence-based best practices in care delivery and daily programming focused on the needs of the persons suffering from those diseases.