Subcommittee on Neurological Disease committee  Unfortunately, I'm not aware of it, and I'd be delighted to have the reference to explore it. I recognize the urgency, Dr. Duncan. I also recognize the important link that you have made. MS is progressive, worsening, irreversible, and often debilitating. So in the face of treatments that are available and that may be still in their early stages in terms of the evidence base that is available, I understand that people with MS want to seek those treatments today or yesterday.

Subcommittee on Neurological Disease committee  In fact the risks are very small; you're absolutely correct. The question there that has been offered to me and to the society is that in our health system, imaging and diagnostic is usually done as a step to treatment. In this context, because the treatment is not immediately available...it would have to be repeated by the surgeon who would eventually do the treatment in the days before the treatment.

Subcommittee on Neurological Disease committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I will address you in French, to begin with, if you don't mind. Thank you for your invitation to appear this morning. It is greatly appreciated. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is the leading national organization supporting people affected by this progressive disease.

Human Resources committee  There are people who have been marginalized from sustainable attachment to the labour market by reason of family structure or by reason of disability who need not be marginalized from the labour market. The recommendations that we've put forward are very modest and practical, but at the end of the day they build on a knowledge we have that every person with MS wants to work, but the reality of our systems--public transportation, attendant care, and home care supports--are such that in fact people are prevented.

Human Resources committee  They get 15 weeks right now but we are asking double that period, so that these people can receive their employment insurance benefits for half the time and work the other half. The same formula would be used for people who have cancer, for example. They could work in the morning and go for their treatment in the afternoon.

Human Resources committee  We've looked at it, obviously, in the context of people with disabilities. Structurally, it's a very good piece of policy innovation. The amounts are very small and they remain very small at this time. We certainly welcomed its introduction, but the real proof in the pudding will be seen in terms of the rate of increase, of the value of the benefit.

Human Resources committee  I should first tell you that multiple sclerosis varies a lot. However, people who have it are generally more tired for a very short period or for a few weeks or even for a few months. These people could be receiving a treatment, for example, or going through an acute phase. They must reduce the number of hours.

Human Resources committee  Thank you. Thank you for your invitation. I will address you only in English but I will be very happy to answer your questions in French later on. Thank you very much for inviting the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada to present today. We're pleased to provide input to your study of the federal contribution to reducing poverty in Canada, and congratulate the committee for undertaking this important work.