Mr. Speaker, multiple sclerosis is a disease that impacts all Canadians: not only the individuals living with the disease, but also their families, friends, co-workers and health care teams.
Women are impacted by MS three times more often than men, and nearly 60% of people living with the disease eventually can no longer work. More needs to be done to support women who live with MS and to help them stay in the workforce for as long as they can.
Unfortunately, for too many people living with MS, treatments are not accessible, available or affordable. I support the MS Society's call for improved access to all Health Canada approved treatments. The MS community needs to know that the life-changing treatments that exist will be available to them regardless of where they live or how much money they earn.
Today, in honour of MS Awareness Month, I am participating in the MS Society's Virtual Carnation Pinning to show my commitment to improve the lives of Canadians affected by MS. I hope everyone will join me.