Celebrating our Democracy – House of Commons Health Committee Study into the Lyme Framework - Part 1

JUL 5, 2017 — We hope everyone enjoyed a special Canada Day weekend with their friends and family, and had time to reflect upon all the wonderful things we enjoy living in this great Country. Although it’s been a while since we sent an update, we continue to be busy pushing forward with our advocacy work. 

One of the blessings of living in Canada is that we have a democratic Government and as a result, we enjoy the right to free speech and a democratic process.

We are happy to share that, as a result of continued advocacy, meetings with and letters to MPs and Senators in Ottawa over the last couple months, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health agreed to study the Federal Framework on Lyme Disease which was released in final version on May 30, 2017.

On June 6 & 8th, 2017, the Health Committee held 2 sessions to hear from a variety of Lyme stakeholders who were called to testify about their concerns with the Lyme Framework. 

Ms Sue Faber and I were both called to testify as patients and advocates. Ms Janet Sperling, CanLyme director, and Dr. Vett Lloyd from Mount Allison University, both testified as scientific experts, and Dr. Ralph Hawkins, MD and Dr. Elizabeth Zubek, MD, both appeared to testify as medical experts and clinicians. Finally, Dr. Howard Njoo, the Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch testified on behalf of the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Ms Margaret Fearon and Mr. Jean-Paul Bedard from Canada Blood Services also appeared.