A boat would have been faster from Halifax, Mr. Chair, this morning.
Thank you.
Good morning. My name is Benjamin Davis, and I am the national vice-president of government relations for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. I am here with my colleague, Dr. Karen Lee, National Vice-President of Research.
We are pleased to speak to Motion No. 132 and the importance of investment in health research, the unique role health charities and patients play in the health research ecosystem and increasing access to medicines. All are key priorities for Canadians affected by MS.
I will give you a bit of context about MS in Canada.
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with an estimated one in every 385 Canadians living with the disease. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Since that includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve, MS can affect vision, memory, balance and mobility.
Women are three times more likely to be diagnosed with MS than men.
MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults in Canada.
Sixty per cent of adults diagnosed with MS are between the ages of 20 and 49 years.
On average, 11 Canadians are diagnosed with MS every day.
For Canadians living with MS and their families, research is key to new treatments, better quality of life and ultimately a cure.
Now I'll turn it over to Dr. Lee.