Mr. Speaker, November is Diabetes Awareness Month and November 14 is World Diabetes Day.
This date was chosen because it marks the birthdate of Dr. Banting, who made crucial breakthroughs in research that led to the discovery of insulin. In fact, his work earned him the Nobel Prize in Medicine. He was the first Canadian to receive the award.
This disease affects about 3.4 million Canadians of all ages. This year the Government of Canada announced a historic $30-million investment in partnership with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Canada to support specialized treatment.
I am very proud that, thanks to those investments, groups like the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre and the Wabano Centre can now deliver services that are better suited to those who suffer from this disease.
I want to thank Health Canada for improving the lives of Canadians living with diabetes.