Mr. Speaker, November 14 is World Diabetes Day. It is an opportunity to raise public awareness about a disease that affects one in 10 adults around the world. In Canada, more than 300,000 people live with type 1 diabetes.
Today I met two young girls with diabetes who are visiting Parliament. They told me their story and talked to me about what it is like to live with this disease on a daily basis. I was impressed by their courage and their resilience, but also by their determination to pursue their hopes and dreams despite their diagnosis. I can relate to what these two young girls are experiencing, because my son Charles was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in February 2017, when he was 18.
Thanks to research, the supplies Charles uses have gotten a lot better. Now it is much easier for him to manage his disease on a daily basis, which enables him to thrive as a phys ed teacher. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the people living with diabetes and the loved ones who support them. I am pleased that our government is working to develop a national universal plan that will provide coverage for a wide range of medications.