Mr. Speaker, few Canadians are aware that more than 4,600 infants are born each year with congenital heart defects. That means that one in every one hundred children are born with these sometimes life-threatening defects making it the number one birth defect in Canada. Congenital heart defects affect more children than cancer, kidney disease, diabetes and junior arthritis.
The number of adults living in Canada with congenital heart defects is between 70,000 and 100,000. Of these adults, 12,000 are currently receiving follow-up care. Approximately 3,000 pediatric and 300 or more adult cardiac surgeries are performed each year in Canada for congenital heart disease. These numbers are expected to double by the year 2006.
I will soon be introducing in the House a private member's bill to officially recognize February 14 as a day for hearts. This bill will recognize and increase the awareness of congenital heart defect.