Senate Inquiry:  Arthritis reaches the Red Chamber

Making Canadians aware of arthritis and its impact is of great importance to improving the lives of people living with this condition. The necessity of arthritis awareness was identified as first in the list of Standards for Arthritis Prevention and Care at the summit in Ottawa in 2005. This conference was hosted by the Alliance for the Canadian Arthritis Program (ACAP). ACAP is comprised of over twenty arthritis stakeholder organizations including arthritis patients, voluntary associations, formal and informal caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers and clinicians, government (federal and provincial), and industry. CAPA is a member. “Arthritis 101” programs for elected officials followed the Summit in 2006. Throughout, ACAP and its member organizations have worked hard to identify “Arthritis Champions” on Parliament Hill to further the cause of awareness.

I'm therefore delighted to tell you that on Tuesday, November 27th, 2007, Senator Gerald Comeau, Deputy Leader of the Senate, introduced a Senate Inquiry into “the debilitating nature of arthritis and its effect on all Canadians”. In his speech ( English or French version) he included information about different forms of arthritis and the devastating effects of the disease. The formal Hansard record of Senator Comeau's speech, makes good reading. Included in the record is the recognition by the Speaker of the Senate of the presence in the Senate Gallery of the ACAP Co-Chairs, Dr. Diane Mosher and Gordon Whitehead, a person living with arthritis.

Following security clearance, guests of Senator Comeau gathered in the Francophonie Chamber of the Senate wing where ACAP had organized a small reception. The Francophonie Chamber is a small and elegant wood-paneled room decorated in the Victorian style. There we met and briefly spoke with Senators Comeau and Callbeck before we were ushered into the Senate Gallery. Our strong contingent of arthritis consumers and Ottawa staff of The Arthritis Society sat front and centre. Ottawa CAPA member, John Ward, made a special effort to be present for this occasion and CAPA Steering Committee member, Laurie Proulx, attended with her father. My thanks to all consumers who attended to demonstrate their support.

You may wonder why the initiation of this Inquiry is so important. Now that the Inquiry has been introduced it remains open on the order paper for 15 days. This means that Senators may rise in the Senate and ask to speak to the subject of the Inquiry for this period of time. This time can be extended if other Senators indicate they also intend to speak. If enough interest is generated then the subject of arthritis may be referred to the Senate Committee on Social Affairs for an in-depth analysis and examination. We want this to happen. It would help to raise public awareness of arthritis diseases, the need to increase research funding and would also bring forward the other priority standards identified at the ACAP Summit such as access to medications.

To generate sustaining interest we have been holding discussions with several Senators to ensure follow-up and the building of momentum. Senators Keon, Harb, Callbeck, McCoy, and Trenholm Counsel, have indicated they are interested in speaking to the issue. Senator Milne spoke after Comeau's speech, and Senators Day and Tardif , the Liberal Deputy Senate Leader, have spoken since. Enlistment of other Senators is a top priority.

We're all busy and stretched to capacity at this time of year. With shopping and wrapping, and much hectic activity it's hard to find an extra minute for something else. But your letter to a Senator to generate interest in speaking to the Inquiry into arthritis might be the most important – and inexpensive - thing you do for yourself and others in this season of giving. Senator Comeau told us that Senators don't usually get much mail on a single subject, and that getting several letters really catches their attention. Please write a Senator and catch their attention. It would also be a fine idea to write to thank Senator Comeau for initiating this inquiry, and nice to thank a Senator who has expressed interest in speaking, or has already spoken. This helps keep the Inquiry alive. You can find a list of Senators with personal information and their contact information at:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/senmemb/senate/isenator.asp?Language=E
http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/senmemb/senate/isenator.asp?sortord=N&Language=F

My best wishes for a joy-filled Holiday Season, and a healthy and pain-free 2008!