The Budget  In terms of MS, we are creating a monitoring system that will also include monitoring of those who have undertaken the CCSVI procedure out of Canada. I think this is something that many members are concerned about. I know that the government is concerned about it. However, it is not something to be just dealt with here in the federal Parliament.

Multiple Sclerosis  Why then is there the refusal to undertake a nationally funded, multi-centre clinical trial to determine if treating CCSVI will improve the quality of life of MS patients? Multiple treatment trials are under way in the U.S. It is time for Canada to act.

Petitions  They call on the House of Commons to urge the Minister of Health to consult experts who have been actively engaged in the testing and treating of CCSVI, to urge the Minister of Health to proceed with phase III clinical trials and to urge the Minister of Health to require follow-up of patients with Doppler ultrasound and clinical examinations.

National Strategy for Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) Act  Order, please. I am sorry, but the time provided for the consideration of private members' business has now expired and the order is dropped to the bottom of the order of precedence on the Order Paper. It being 7:30 p.m. the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

National Strategy for Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, the member for Etobicoke North, for the energy and passion she has put into the cause of multiple sclerosis. Canada is one of the countries most affected by this illness. It is believed that between 50,000 and 80,000 Canadians are affected, and three new cases are diagnosed every day in Canada.

National Strategy for Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) Act  I would just remind all hon. members to direct their questions and comments through the Chair. The hon. member for Etobicoke North.

National Strategy for Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) Act  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for all the work she has done to bring this very important issue to the forefront. However, I am somewhat concerned with her bill and about the concept of having politicians trying to legislate scientific research and trials. Even Dr. Zamboni, who started the procedure, says we need more scientific research.

National Strategy for Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) Act  Mr. Speaker, I want to read something I got from an MS sufferer today whom the good member for Etobicoke North knows. The person states, “Canadians who have this disease are dying at the rate of one per day. Yes, we need studies but let's not abandon those people when we can act now and save lives.

Multiple Sclerosis  Since specialists, experts, researchers and scientists do not all agree on the link between CCSVI treatment and multiple sclerosis or on the controversial side of the disease, and since a number of patients are frustrated and are hopeful about this treatment and their recovery, will the government ensure that this process goes through all four phases of clinical trials?

Petitions  Speaker, I have a petition certified by the clerk of petitions. The petition is from constituents in my riding and is regarding the CCSVI treatment for multiple sclerosis.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  With respect to chronic cerebrospinal insufficiency (CCSVI), does the government plan to have: (a) Health Canada establish that no Canadian ought to be deprived of the imaging necessary for diagnosis, or deprived of the angioplasty indicated by a diagnosis of venous insufficiency in the drainage of the brain, only by reason that that person would also have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS); (b) the Minister of Health convene her provincial and territorial counterparts to a meeting for the purpose of ensuring that no impediment will be placed in the way of diagnosis of venous insufficiency or of treatment by angioplasty on the mere ground that the patient has been diagnosed with MS; (c) Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) funds made available to assist in the creation of a registry by which it would be possible to collate data regarding the progress of MS patients who undergo venous angioplasty; (d) the funds released, as per the MS Society's research proposal, to allow for that research, with the help of the data collated in the registry referred to above, keeping in mind that such research should not be an impediment to patients obtaining diagnosis or the angioplasty to correct diagnosed venous insufficiency, but should proceed in parallel to any such treatment; (e) Health Canada or the CIHR investigate technology to study the vascular system in utero and, if so, (i) whether vascular or venous problems develop during this time period, (ii) what and where vascular or venous problems potentially occur, (iii) how identified problems might be treated; (f) Health Canada or the CIHR study whether pregnant women should be given vitamin D to understand the risk of children being born with, or developing, vascular problems and other conditions and, if so, determine what dosage is appropriate; (g) Health Canada or the CIHR study whether children and adolescents should be given vitamin D to reduce the risk of developing vein inflammation and venous hypertension and, if so, (i) what dosage is appropriate, (ii) what quantity is recommended for a child with a family history of CCSVI, vascular problems or MS, etc.; (h) Health Canada or the CIHR investigate whether vascular issues develop during childhood and, if so, identify methods to discover circulation problems at the earliest time possible; (i) Health Canada or CIHR study whether antioxidants, vitamin D and omega 3 reduce vein inflammation; (j) Health Canada or the CIHR determine the normal range of flow through veins, in particular the jugulars, and whether or not occluded jugulars can be treated to achieve normal flow; (k) Health Canada or the CIHR study how CCSVI potentially affects flow through the veins and possible permeability of the blood-brain barrier, and methods to reduce permeability, including mesenchymal stem cells and pharmacological agents; (l) Health Canada or the CIHR study the effects of chelators on iron uptake and release from the brain, and the potential use of iron chelators as therapeutic agents for the treatment of MS and perhaps other neurodegenerative disorders; (m) Health Canada or the CIHR investigate how the vascular system of someone with benign MS compares to that of someone with relapsing-remitting, primary progressive or secondary progressive MS; (n) Health Canada or the CIHR study whether a relationship exists between CCSVI and other neurological diseases, as well as between CCSVI and autoimmune disease; (o) funds made available to CIHR across the Institutes to bring together a conference of leading researchers in fields including CCSVI and the liberation procedure, vascular surgeons and neurologists; (p) research funds made available to design safe apparatuses to keep liberated veins open; and (q) a National Research Chair awarded in the diagnosis and treatment of venous abnormalities?

Health committee  It's the first one of its kind. There are 700 cases, and upwards of 86% of MS patients show evidence of CCSVI. In New York, Minister, 150 MS cases were looked at. They were assessed for quality of life, and the psychiatrist who did that study did not know that the patients had received liberation therapy.

Petitions  New data from the conference in Poland earlier this month show that in Bulgaria, Jordan, Poland and the United Kingdom upwards of 93% of MS patients have evidence of CCSVI. New data from the conference in Italy last week showed 700 cases analyzed from multiple international centres with 86% of MS patients having CCSVI. Therefore, the petitioners are calling for clinical trials with diagnosis, treatment and follow-up here in Canada.

Multiple Sclerosis  Three new cases will be diagnosed today. That is why the Liberal Party of Canada calls for urgent clinical trials on CCSVI to ensure that MS patients have the best possible evidence-based care. The issue of caregivers is also an important one for MS patients. It is imperative that this House works toward giving them the financial support and resources they need to be cared for at home as long as possible.

Multiple Sclerosis  It is evident that the research and testimony heard at committee amounts to a promising start. Just last week, the MS societies in North America announced the launch of CCSVI research project funding. CCSVI is a disorder that causes blockages that reduce blood flow in the veins near the central nervous system.Canadians with MS are asking for the right to diagnosis and treatment.