Mr. Speaker, May is Hepatitis Awareness Month.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by viral infection. There are several types of the disease and some have the potential of developing into chronic health illness.
The newly created Public Health Agency of Canada is the leader on federal hepatitis C activities. The hepatitis C prevention, support and research program operates under the agency and continues to strengthen federal leadership in these areas.
It is estimated that a quarter million people in Canada are currently living with hepatitis C and approximately 90,000 of these Canadians do not even know they are infected.
Raising awareness of hepatitis and its potential impact on the health and well-being of all Canadians is imperative and I urge my colleagues to join me in raising awareness during Hepatitis Awareness Month.