MS Awareness month ended with an impactful Day at Queen’s Park on May 30th. During the day, volunteers from across the province met with over 25 members of provincial parliament (MPPs) to share concerns and provide direction on improved health, social and economic policies related to MS. During Question Period, MPPs showed their support by wearing red carnation boutonnieres, a flower that represents hope and awareness.
Volunteers from the MS Ambassador program met with MPPs from all parties, including ministers and critics holding key portfolios of health, accessibility, northern development and energy.
Improved accessibility and the adoption of the Integrated Accessibility Regulations was the focus of the meeting with the Minister of Community and Social Services, Madeleine Meilleur. A new paper outlining concerns about access to quality care for northern Ontarians was shared with the Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, Michael Gravelle and his northern MPP colleagues. A new priority gaining traction, electricity costs and the newly enforced Time-of-Day pricing, was discussed with the Minister of Energy and other critics. And CCSVI and overall health concerns were discussed with the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deb Matthews.
In addition, a luncheon reception provided an opportunity for decision makers to address concerns expressed by the MS community. The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Ms. Deborah Matthews, along with Health Critics from the Conservative party Christine Elliott, and France Gélinas from the NDP spoke at the luncheon about CCSVI, an Ontario Brain Strategy, support for caregivers and greater accessibility. The luncheon also brought together members from coalition groups and other health partners to speak to MPPs.
MPPs showed their support by wearing red carnation boutonnieres, the MS Society’s official flower which represents hope and awareness. Several MPPs also spoke to the Society’s priority issues by reading member statements at question period. You can read a transcript of the day’s debates and statements in the Hansard file.
To learn about how you can join the MS Society’s MS Ambassador Program and become a volunteer advocate for future MS Society Queen’s Park events, please contact us.
Over 15 MS Ambassadors and MS Society staff navigated the historic corridors and hallways to meet with elected officials and advisors during the annual Day at Queen’s Park on Monday October 18th.
The day was fruitful: MS Society representatives met 20 Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) throughout the day. Three priority issues were discussed with all MPPs that day: 1) earmarking funds for CCSVI therapeutic clinical trials, so that an immediate infusion of funding will be available when such a trial is developed and approved. 2) providing necessary supports for informal caregivers and 3) developing an Ontario Brain Strategy for Ontarians living with neurological conditions.
Thirty MPPs and a number of ministers, including the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Education, and the Honourable James J. Bradley, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, attended the luncheon reception. The Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services spoke on the implementation of the AODA and recognized the importance of the MS Society’s work. France Gélinas, MPP, Nickel Belt, highlighted her support for our priority issues and recognized the work of MS Society volunteers in her region. John O’Toole, MPP,Durham, also spoke at the reception to show his support. Later in the afternoon, John O’Toole read a statement at the legislature recognizing the mission of the MS Society in finding a cause and cure.
Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) recognized the “power of the flower” on April 27th as MS awareness events were held at Queen’s Park. MPPs wore carnation boutonnières to show their support.
On this day, representatives of the MS Society, including MS Ambassadors, met with several MPPs throughout the day and hosted an MS Awareness Reception for volunteers and board members, staff, MS researchers, and MPPs and other government officials.
Several key officials attended the reception, including the Honourable John Wilkinson, Minister of Research and Innovation, who spoke at the event, as did John O’Toole, MPP, Durham, and Michael Prue, MPP, Beaches. Also in attendance was the Honourable James Bradley, Minister of Transportation, Helena Jaczek, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health Promotion, and others.
MPPs were asked to improve access to supportive housing, age-appropriate long-term care, and MS medications, and were updated on the endMS Research and Training Network.
Notice: The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Ontario Division,
is a non-partisan health charity and provides information about
the provincial election for the benefit of all who are interested
in MS issues. The MS Society does not support specific parties
or candidates.
Our Mission : To be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis and enabling people affected by MS to enhance their quality of life.
Ontario
Division
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
175 Bloor Street E., Suite 700, North Tower
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R8
To locate the MS Society office near you, please select the appropriate
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