Federal Cabinet Shuffle

Since August 22, 2017 when we met with then Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott to deliver the Lyme Letters, a lot has happened.

In the week following that meeting, an announcement was made that there was a federal cabinet shuffle triggered by an opening in another portfolio. Several Federal Cabinet Ministers were moved, including Minister Jane Philpott - who left the Health Portfolio right after we met with her and delivered the thousands of Lyme Letters and Petition comments! 

The existing department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs has been replaced by two new departments: former Indigenous Minister Carolyn Bennett became Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, while Jane Philpott became the Minister of newly created Indigenous Services.

The new Health Minister is Ginette Petitpas Taylor. Minister Petitpas Taylor is MP for the riding of Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, New Brunswick. She has a background in social work and has been a passionate and strong advocate for many causes including pay equity for women, mental health and domestic violence. 

We encourage all of you to write Minister Petitpas Taylor to let her know you remain concerned about the lack of funding and attention to Lyme & other tick-borne disease in Canada. Those of you living in her riding can also request to meet with her personally in her constituent office to share your story and concerns personally.

So what does this mean? 

We will be following up with Minister Philpott in her new role in Indigenous Services as there are many indigenous communities living in endemic areas for infected ticks.

We will also be following up asking for a meeting with new Health Minister Petitpas Taylor and look forward to continuing the dialogue with her office, and also with Public Health Agency of Canada.