House of Commons Debates VOLUME 148 Ï NUMBER 435 Ï 1st SESSION Ï 42nd PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Monday, June 17, 2019 Speaker: The Honourable Geoff Regan CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) 29155 HOUSE OF COMMONS Monday, June 17, 2019 The House met at 11 a.m. therapy because they cannot afford the costs of the supplies, devices and medications. The impacts of this are far reaching. Unable to comply with their therapy, it puts people at increased risk of serious health complications. In addition to the human impact, this adds Prayer strain to our health care system, as it must deal with completely avoidable emergency interventions. It does not need to be this way. New Democrats, since the time we won the fight for medicare in PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS this country under Tommy Douglas, believe that our work will not Ï (1100) be done until we also have a universal public pharmacare plan. The [English] health and financial impacts of not having a universal public pharmacare plan are as clear as day when we look at the impacts of DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH diabetes in this country. We must also keep in mind that prevention The House resumed from May 28 consideration of the motion. is cheaper than intervention. We know that there are other social Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I am policies we can engage in to reduce the risk of people developing very happy to engage in this important discussion. In 2014, the Steno diabetes in the first place. These policies will keep Canadians Diabetes Center in Copenhagen, along with the University College healthier and save our health care system's valuable resources. in London and Novo Nordisk, created the cities changing diabetes Due to the cost of diabetes therapies, it is without question that program. Its aim is to address the social and cultural factors that those unable to comply due to costs are less financially secure. In increase type 2 diabetes vulnerability among certain people in urban Vancouver, much of this has to do with the lack of affordable centres. The program now includes partnerships with 20 cities housing. Whether it is kicking the can down the road on funding the around the world. I am proud to say that Vancouver was Canada's national affordable housing plan instead of breaking ground on first and only city to become involved, and was one of the first 10 projects, or avoiding any action on money-laundering schemes that cities globally to join the program. inflate real estate prices, the Liberal government is failing to address It is estimated that about 9.4% of Vancouverites are living with the national housing crisis that is acutely severe in Vancouver and in diabetes, which is comparable to national incidence rates. However, my riding of Vancouver East. Too often, my constituents are forced this overall rate hides who is being most impacted. Vancouver is one to choose between paying rent and paying for insulin. This is wrong. of Canada's most socially, ethnically and economically diverse cities, and not all groups are affected by diabetes at the same rates. In Vancouver's more affluent neighbourhoods, diabetes rates are as low as 5%, but in the Downtown Eastside, in my riding of Vancouver East, it is 8%. We also know that indigenous people and people of Chinese and South Asian descent are at a disproportionate risk of developing diabetes. In December 2017, I wrote to the Minister of National Revenue to express my serious concerns over the Liberal government's mishandling of the disability tax credit. Constituents were dismayed that the Canada Revenue Agency was denying the tax credits to those with insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes requires ongoing, expensive treatments. It is not uncommon for an individual to be forced to spend upwards of $10,000 a year on various medical devices and insulin. Often, private insurance plans have gaps that lead to it not being covered, or restrictive caps that leave individuals paying large amounts out of pocket. It is no wonder that the Canadian Diabetes Association found that 57% of Canadians with diabetes say they do not comply with their 29156 COMMONS DEBATES June 17, 2019 Private Members' Business My colleagues, the member for North Island—Powell River and I am proud to stand in the House and support Motion No. 173. I the member for Hochelaga, have tabled bills in this House to take also believe we need to act. We know many avenues where action real action to affirm housing as a human right. It is shameful that the can be taken; we just need the political will. Liberal government does not agree. We also know that diet has a significant impact on increasing the risk of developing diabetes and Diabetes impacts over three million Canadians every day. Its worsening the condition if one is already living with it. Once again, impacts are far-ranging, because of the range of factors that impact Canadians struggling to make ends meet find themselves less able to the disease itself. That is why I believe we need to be looking at have a healthy, well-balanced diet. Food insecurity in low-income diabetes through a holistic, intersectional lens. It is exercise, diet and areas leave lower-income Canadians struggling to eat well. This food security, and it is housing security and affordability. It is access creates a third difficult choice for too many residents of Vancouver to health care, and it is access to affordable prescription drugs. So East, having to choose rent, medicine or food. Again, it does not much of this ultimately comes back to income security and equality. need to be this way. Ï (1105) I think this provides a real launching point to examining big- My colleague, the member for Berthier—Maskinongé, tabled a picture changes to social policy and programming. The prevalence bill here to address food waste. Again, both the Liberals and and impact of diabetes in our society is far reaching and requires far- Conservatives opposed our efforts. Another colleague, the member reaching actions. One such action that I think we need to discuss is for Kootenay—Columbia, tabled a bill to recognize the importance the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous of local food. Women's call to justice 4.5, which states, “We call upon all governments to establish a guaranteed annual livable income”. The NDP understands the vital role that food security plays in ensuring that Canadians are healthy and able to contribute to their Let us take the opportunity that Motion No. 173 provides us to fullest. We need to do more to both recognize and address the roles recognize the interconnectedness of all of this, and let us think big that housing and food security play in diabetes prevention and about solutions. maintenance. The Vancouver Second Mile Society provides health clinics each Ï (1110) year which include diabetes testing. They also do great work with their health programs and preventing seniors from living in isolation Mr. Nick Whalen (St. John's East, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I am and poverty. The Vancouver Native Health Society works to provide proud to have this opportunity today to rise and speak in favour of knowledge and support for food sustenance development and Motion No. 173 to create November as diabetes awareness month. reducing barriers of access to the natural environment and nutritious People at home might be wondering why I have an opportunity to traditional foods. They also run a medical clinic which offers a speak to this motion, given that it is close to the hearts of so many diabetes self-management program, a free learning program to help members of Parliament. I am sure they would be interested to know people with type 2 diabetes better manage their symptoms. that my own private member's bill was preempted by work that was already being done by the House of Commons Standing Committee Then there is the Vancouver Chinese Diabetes Education Centre, on Canadian Heritage. which exists through partnerships with Vancouver Coastal Health and the Chinese Canadian Medical Society BC and is run out of S.U. I have had the opportunity to share my private member's bill with C.C.E.S.S. The centre is a great resource for individuals with a number of members in the House. The member for Surrey— diabetes and their families to learn about diabetes management, its Newton and I were able to work together to make sure that his Sikh nature and causes, nutrition and meal planning, the role of exercise Heritage Month bill made it to the Senate and was passed by both and medication and self-monitoring. There is also the kitchen Houses in time for declaration prior to the rising of the House. program at the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre, and the Chinese Elders Community Kitchen with the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House. I was able to work with the member for Cumberland—Colchester, on a couple of occasions, to make sure that his private member's bill REACH Community Health Centre uses a collaborative model for the repatriation of indigenous artifacts was also able to get that supports elder health and addresses social factors like loneliness through the House and be called into law. and isolation, as these can be detrimental to overall health and wellness. People might be aware that in the last few weeks, the member for I would be remiss if I did not also acknowledge the incredible Saanich—Gulf Islands was able to get Bill S-203, on preventing the work that the neighbourhood houses play, whether it is food captivity of whales and dolphins, through the House by my offering programs, cooking clubs or community lunches at the Mount my slot to her on one occasion, and with one of the members from Pleasant Neighbourhood House, or the Saige Food Bank and the New Democratic Party.