Mr. Speaker,Yesterday, the Arthritis Society was proud to unveil the first ever Canadian Arthritis Bill of Rights. This bill enshrines the basic rights and responsibilities for Canadian arthritis patients, from the right to timely and accurate diagnosis of the disease to the right to quicker access to new medications.
The purpose of this initiative is to raise public awareness of the problems relating to arthritis and to mobilize arthritis patients.
It is estimated that 85% of Canadians are likely to be affected by arthritis before the age of 70. Arthritis is also responsible for 25% of long term disability cases in Canada.
Now that they have this Canadian bill of rights, arthritis patients have a legitimate platform from which to demand their right to be heard.