Mr. Speaker, since October was World Menopause Month, I would like to draw attention to this important issue that affects the health, well-being and financial security of millions of women across the country.
The conversation about menopause gained real momentum last month. Menopause is a natural life phase that affects the body, the mind and our emotional well-being, yet many women still go through it without realizing their symptoms are linked to it.
According to the Menopause Foundation of Canada, unmanaged symptoms carry an estimated annual cost of $3.5 billion to the Canadian economy. With women aged 45 to 55 now the fastest-growing segment of the Canadian workforce, supporting them is not just the right thing to do; it strengthens families, workspaces, communities and our economy.
Let us keep up the momentum from October. Let us break the silence so that menopause is no longer minimized or misunderstood, but instead addressed with the education, support and respect women deserve.