Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that today the Canadian Diabetes Association is celebrating the first United Nations recognition of World Diabetes Day.
November 14 was chosen as World Diabetes Day because it is the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, and to commemorate him and Sir Charles Best, the two doctors who discovered insulin.
Our government continues to invest millions to fund research in order to find a cure for diabetes. Diabetes is a serious public health problem in Canada that affects approximately two million Canadians.
To help fight against diabetes, this government has put in place patient wait time guarantees for diabetes on first nation reserves guaranteeing treatment within acceptable wait times for those who need it. Further, our government is promoting healthy living initiatives through the Canada food guide and the physical activity guide.
This Conservative government is serious about addressing public health issues and we are getting the job done. I ask my colleagues to please join me in wishing all diabetes agencies a successful World Diabetes Day.