Rob Oliphant rose in the House of Commons today to second Bill C-233, An Act respecting a national strategy for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, at second reading. Mr. Oliphant has been collaborating on this project with the Conservative M.P. for Niagara Falls, the Hon. Rob Nicholson.

This Bill calls on the Minister of Health to develop a comprehensive national strategy to address all aspects of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in cooperation with her provincial and territorial counterparts. This strategy would include national objectives to improve the current living standards of those with dementia, encourage greater investment in research, disseminate best practices across Canada and recommend national guidelines of care for dementia patients.

“As a United Church minister, I was constantly with families who were struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. I worked with families and friends who watched their loved ones become distanced from their own minds,” said Mr. Oliphant. “As our population continues to age, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia will increasingly be an issue at the forefront of our healthcare system,” Oliphant added.

Mr. Oliphant recently co-chaired the Special Joint Parliamentary Committee on Physician Assisted Dying whose substantial report recommended, among other things, a national dementia strategy. “Investing in a national strategy for these diseases would greatly improve the future health of Canadians as part of the continuum of care,” continued Mr. Oliphant.