Mr. Speaker, November is Diabetes Awareness Month and November 14 is World Diabetes Day.
We must take this opportunity to remind ourselves that the financial pressure faced by those living with diabetes is tremendous and that the costs are a huge burden on both household budgets and our national economy.
The Canadian Diabetes Association suggests that the federal government undertake four specific policies that would alleviate these substantial costs: expand the disability tax credit to include Canadians living with diabetes; increase federal funding to support diabetes programs and services; increase funding for diabetes-related research; and increase the charitable tax credit.
These small changes would make a big difference in the lives of people living with diabetes. I hope the government will join me and my New Democrat colleagues in commemorating national Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day and will implement these simple, effective and worthwhile initiatives.