Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the members of the House and all Canadians that the month of May is Allergy-Asthma Awareness Month. More than six million Canadians suffer from allergies and asthma, and this number is increasing daily. In many cases, this condition can be life-threatening. In 1978, 2.5% of Canadian children had asthma. This year it is at 12%.
Allergies and asthma are the number one reason for visits to the emergency rooms. They are the number one reason why students miss school. They are the number three reason why people miss work. Allergies and asthma contribute enormously to productivity problems and health care costs.
Through education, training and research, the Allergy-Asthma Information Association and its partner organizations, the Asthma Society of Canada and the Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation, help Canadians in coping with these health issues.
Please join me in wishing the Allergy-Asthma Awareness Information Association a successful Allergy-Asthma Awareness Month.