My riding is Brampton South, and I come from Peel Region. The 5-2-1-0 Healthy Communities Initiative did a report saying that at the present rate, it is expected that one out of every six residents in Peel Region will have diabetes and that the direct costs of medication and supplies range from $1,000 to $15,000 annually, which is a big number.
In July you were there when, on behalf of the health minister, we announced research money of $22.6 million—that was with other partners too—to reduce the incidence of diabetic foot ulcers, one of the most common and feared side effects of diabetes. The amputation rate is very high in Ontario. I know because I worked for 14 years as a health care professional. I ran a diabetes clinic. As a research coordinator, I know how hard it is when somebody loses a limb. There is a big fear of losing a limb. Untreated sores can lead to amputation. How will this funding make a difference in the lives of people living with diabetes?