Mr. Speaker, January is Alzheimer's Awareness Month. In Quebec, 105,600 people have Alzheimer's disease. At present, the cause of neurodegenerative disease is unknown, and there is no effective treatment to keep it from progressing. Unless a cure is found, it is estimated that 750,000 people will have Alzheimer's by 2031.
Researchers are optimistic, however, about cellular therapy, early diagnosis and especially the possibility that a vaccine could be available within four or five years. These encouraging developments represent hope for relief for the families and the million natural caregivers in Quebec whose lives are turned upside down and who are too often worn out by this disease.
The Bloc Québécois pays tribute to all the volunteers who do such a remarkable job caring for people with Alzheimer's and continues to call for adequate support measures on their behalf.