Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of World Cancer Day, the theme of which this year is to dispel damaging myths about cancer, including how people view and respond to the disease.
Though more and more people are surviving cancer, still more than one-third of all Canadians will develop cancer during their lifetime and one in four of those will die from this terrible disease. As virtually everyone knows someone who has or has been affected by cancer, it is a disease that touches all Canadians.
We know that research is improving treatment for cancer every day and that finding a cure is possible. That is why since forming government in 2006, we established the Canadian partnership against cancer and have invested over $1 billion for cancer research.
We know the burden cancer places on families and loved ones. That is why we have made numerous improvements to EI to support these families with critically ill loved ones. Our government recognizes cancer is not only about health; it is about all of us.