Advocate For The National Eye Care Strategy - Your Support Matters!
On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, the 3rd reading of Bill C-284, the National Strategy for Eyecare Act, is scheduled to take place. We are requesting that you join us in calling on the Minister of Health to develop a national plan aimed at preventing and treating eye diseases in Canada.
The bill also seeks to designate February as “Age-Related Macular Degeneration Month” as macular degeneration is a very common cause of vision loss.
With the understanding that early diagnosis and treatment can prevent 75% of vision loss cases, it becomes evident that the adoption of Bill C-284, currently under consideration, holds the potential to significantly improve the lives of numerous individuals. Vision impacts Canadian residents’ ability to live life independently and costs them billions of dollars annually.
Bill C-284 seeks to establish a comprehensive national strategy to support the prevention and treatment of eye disease and vision rehabilitation to ensure better health outcomes for Canadians. It also endeavours to address existing structures that directly lead to health inequalities.
If passed into law, it intends to hold the Minister of Health accountable regarding the development of the national eyecare strategy. Bill C-284 outlines a specific timeline for the progression of the national eyecare plan and requires the Minister of Health to publish frequent reports on the evolution of the strategy.
How Can You Help?
- Download the petition
- Collect as many signatures as you can before September 27, 2023
- For every 25 signatures, please mail* the petition to
Hon. Judy Sgro, P.C., M.P.
Room 1180 Valour Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
*Please note all mail to the House of Commons or the Senate is postage free*
You can also encourage your MPs to support the bill; you can send an email to them using this link : https://bit.ly/44wCr64.
Together, we can ensure that Canadians have access to the best possible eye care resources and services.
We greatly appreciate your support in championing this crucial cause. Should you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to reach out to us at canada@opticians.ca
