Help on the way for those with vector-borne diseases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 2, 2015

QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett’s infectious diseases bill was passed today in the Ontario Legislature with unanimous consent from all parties.

Bill 27, An Act to Require a Provincial Framework and Action Plan Concerning Vector-borne Diseases received third reading today in the Ontario Legislature with unanimous consent from all three parties. The bill passed with unanimous support.

This legislation will call on the government to enhance surveillance of emerging vector-borne diseases; establish guidelines for the prevention, identification, treatment and management; increase awareness of vector-borne diseases through an education campaign as well as promote research.

“My hope is this legislation can, for example, assist victims of Lyme in dealing with this debilitating disease,” Barrett said. “We need to move forward, making decisions about treatment and diagnosis based on neutral objective science. This legislation is set up to put a framework in place and allow the experts to make the decisions.”

Barrett was pleased that all parties came together to tackle this issue.

“There aren’t a lot of times you see MPPs of all stripes supporting legislation unanimously,” he said. “I introduced this legislation after hearing from Lyme victims in the riding.”

Originally introduced as Bill 27 Provincial Framework and Action Plan concerning Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases Act, 2015 , the Private Member’s Bill initially dealt with Lyme disease, West Nile, Ebola and other emerging infectious diseases.

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For more information,
contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org