Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for bringing this important matter to the attention of the House. As well, I thank the Minister of National Defence for taking the very unusual step of speaking in support of a private member's motion.
There are both scientific and humanitarian reasons for recognizing multiple chemical sensitivities, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome as conditions causing disability and for supporting the sufferers of these conditions.
The extent of the suffering caused has been documented. People suffering from these diseases may endure up to 20 painful symptoms a day.
The symptoms include soreness in the bones and muscles, gastrointestinal problems, headaches, dizziness, irritability and sleep disorders for those who are affected. Their quality of life is greatly affected.
Every day, Health Canada receives several letters from patients who are asking for help and who want assurances that serious measures will be taken with regard to the disease that is destroying their lives.
It is also important to recognize the largely voluntary efforts of the scientific and social groups that have organized to promote progress in this field.
One of the motivations for this motion is the United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, which say that states should ensure the provision of effective medical care to persons with disabilities. The Environmental Illness Society of Canada has interpreted this as an obligation to protect the people through legislation in order to achieve the goal of full participation and equality for persons with disabilities. It feels that recognition by the House of Commons will help sufferers gain access to disability support programs.
Because MCS, CFS and FM are not considered disabling illnesses at present, they are often misdiagnosed. Without recognition, sufferers are unable to be considered for disability benefits and treatment. It also means that we are lagging behind in research for determining a cause for these diseases and a consequential treatment.
For sufferers, these illnesses are often unidentified and they suffer not only from their symptoms, but also from marriage breakdown. They often lose their jobs due to an inability to perform at their full capacity. They cannot afford treatment. They use up their savings, often risking their homes. They go on social assistance. They do not have access to community social service support. They often get into legal battles with private insurers and they have a higher rate of suicide.
It is hard for many of us to imagine being sensitive to almost everything that surrounds us, but it is not hard to realize that we live in an increasingly toxic world and that this has the potential to cause risks to our health.
We have, as a government, taken some actions which demonstrate the concern about the growing number of environmental hazards. The Bureau of Chemical Hazards concentrates on the effects on human health of chemical and biological agents in the environment. The bureau has recognized the need to study not only air quality but also personal exposure to airborne contaminants.
We have an environmental health directorate at Health Canada and an office of environmental health assessment which deal specifically with environmental health risks. Last Thursday the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health announced the first phase of research projects under the toxic substances research initiative. This initiative responds to the need to have sound scientific research in order to define and reduce the health and environmental effects of toxic substances in Canada.
Health Canada, through its participation in an expert working group on these conditions, participates in the identification of research gaps in the field. Health Canada holds a number of informal consultations with sufferers, concerned physicians and other health professionals. It is anticipated that in the upcoming months Health Canada will work toward a coalition of patient groups in order to ensure their participation in program planning and research agendas.
Research is extremely important and recognition by the House of these illnesses would be an important step forward in ensuring that researchers are able to carry out badly needed research in these fields.
We have recognized that there is a link between environmental factors and health. What Canadians who suffer from multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia experience is a chronic and acute reaction to environmental factors against which the majority of the population are able to defend themselves.
We have devoted resources and energy to dealing with chemical environmental triggers at the level considered toxic. We have mechanisms for dealing with the substances, but we cannot help the people who suffer from even the slightest exposure to them. Sufferers are often misdiagnosed as having psychological disorders or are told that the source of their discomfort cannot be identified.
Finally, I want to talk about the need for treatment. In this country we have one centre for the treatment of environmentally-induced illnesses. That centre has a waiting list so long that the people who require care simply will not ever be able to get it.
We have a Canadian expert in this area practising in the United States, occasionally coming to Canada to provide treatment. Most often, when the system can be persuaded that it is necessary, we are sending Canadians to the United States to be treated by a Canadian doctor who would love to be applying his expertise in this country to help the many Canadians who are suffering from what to much of the medical profession is a great mystery.
I wish this motion were votable. I know that the Minister of Health recognizes the importance of this issue and is prepared to act on it whether or not this is endorsed by the House.
We need to look at some specific things. We need to look at some pilot projects to set up other treatment programs in Canada. We have the expertise. We should be taking care of these issues in our country.
Finally, I would like to quote a statement from a letter I received this week:
CFS and FM have seriously affected each of our lives. Previously employed as professionals, we are now incapable of employment and some are only able to work with reduced hours. Every aspect of our lives has had to be altered in order for us to feel some sense of accomplishment. We struggle to do the basics such as personal hygiene, home maintenance, raising families and maintaining friendships. Every single task we attempt must be pre-planned and often we fail in the end because our bodies do not co-operate.
That statement, from a group of people who suffer from these conditions, says more than I or any other member of the House can say. I hope that this debate, even though it is not going to lead to a vote, certainly leads the government and leads all of us to make a commitment to follow through on this debate and to ensure that appropriate action is taken.