Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from citizens who are concerned about the problem of Lyme disease.
Among other things, the petitioners are concerned that numerous field review scientific studies have warned that a warming climate will expand the geographic range of Lyme disease carrying tics further into Canada, including a 2012 paper by Leighton et al, which states that over 80% of the population in eastern and central Canada could be living in areas at risk of Lyme disease by 2020.
The petitioners ask that the government convene a national conference with provincial and territorial health ministers, representatives of the medical community and patients groups for the purpose of developing a national strategy that works toward ensuring the recognition, timely diagnosis and effective treatment of Lyme disease in Canada.