Mr. Speaker, March is national Brain Awareness Month, the time to advocate for a national brain strategy.
Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and fetal alcohol syndrome disorder affect children for life.
I have worked with children with these challenges my whole life, and their families often struggle to get needed therapy and fight tooth and nail for the help they need. We must ensure every child is able to develop to his or her full potential.
The national population health study of neurological conditions will end in March 2013. My appeal is for a joint meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health to help support the development of a framework, working with stakeholders across the country toward a pan-Canadian action plan for the brain, to support the needs of individuals impacted by neurological conditions across their lifespan, and their families.