moved for leave to introduce Bill C-323, An Act to establish a national strategy on brain injuries.
Mr. Speaker, today I am formally introducing my private member's bill to establish a national strategy on brain injuries. Brain injuries can happen to anyone, anywhere, and they can permanently alter people's lives in a split second.
June is Brain Injury Awareness Month in Canada, a time when national, provincial and local associations run campaigns to increase awareness about brain injury, the obstacles that exist and the need for more services and support during recovery.
The bill I am introducing today would require the Minister of Health, in consultation with provincial governments, indigenous groups and other relevant stakeholders, to develop a national strategy to support brain injury prevention and treatment. The strategy would include measures to promote preventative measures, identify training, promote research and data collection, and create national guidelines on the prevention, diagnosis and management of brain injuries.
There are more Canadians living with an acquired brain injury than those living with multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, spinal cord injuries and breast cancer combined. It is my hope that a national strategy will coordinate efforts of our dedicated health care workers and help Canadians who are living with brain injuries.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)