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Andrew Kavchak
ParticipantAnd now a member of the UK House of Lords is supporting the call for a World Autism Strategy…
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http://www.bloggernews.net/114954Baroness Uddin YouTube Film for UN World Autism Day
Posted on April 4th, 2008
by autismnews in All News, Blogosphere News, Breaking News, Education News, Entertainment, European News, North American News, The United Nations, UK News, US News, World Politics
Read 70 times.(London, UK) A film highlighting the call on autism by the Baroness Uddin of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament, was released in London on 2nd April. The film was released on the You Tube Channel, by Media Eye Productions, to mark the first global autism day.
World Autism Awareness Day was declared on Wednesday 2nd April by the United Nations General Assembly in New York – the resolution was backed by The State of Qatar. The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon fully supported the day.
Baroness Uddin said that a United Nations Conference on Autism in 2009 is a must and supported the call for the UNSG Ban Ki-moon to launch a world autism strategy.
To watch film on Baroness Uddin speak out on autism, to mark the United Nations World Autism Awareness Day, please access youtube:
ParticipantHi Folks,
You know how the federal government keeps ignoring the calls for a National Autism Strategy, saying that "it's provincial", while at the same time funding all kinds of other national health strategies (e.g. cancer, etc.)…well, Senator Callbeck asked a question in the Senate a while ago about the "National Pharmaceutical Strategy". Below is a government reply regarding how it works…
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Senate Hansard
Thursday, April 3, 2008Delayed Answer to Oral Question
Hon. Gerald J. Comeau (Deputy Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table a delayed response to an oral question raised by Senator Callbeck on February 26, 2008, concerning health, the proposed national pharmaceutical strategy.
Health
Proposed National Pharmaceutical Strategy
(Response to question raised by Hon. Catherine S. Callbeck on February 26, 2008)
The National Pharmaceuticals Strategy (NPS), which was agreed to by First Ministers as part of the 2004 Health Accord, targets issues such as affordable access, appropriate use/ prescribing, pricing, safety and effectiveness. The Strategy is ambitious, and the first phase laid the groundwork. The NPS was never intended to be a vehicle to negotiate increased federal funding for drug coverage, which is a provincial and territorial responsibility.
The federal government provides significant funds to ensure the sustainability of the whole health care system through the Canada Health Transfer, which grows at 6 per cent per year. In 2004, the federal government provided an additional $41 billion to provinces and territories to develop and implement a 10-year plan to strengthen healthcare, including pharmaceuticals, according to provincial and territorial priorities.
Our emphasis with provinces and territories continues to be on realizing efficiencies in our system as a result of our investment, so that public resources can be targeted most effectively. Efficiencies could be gained through better generic drug pricing, national purchasing strategies, better prescribing practices and more accessible knowledge on drug safety and effectiveness. We are working with provinces and territories under the NPS and other initiatives to address these issues.
For example, a business plan has been completed, which proposes a model for the creation of a pan-Canadian virtual network of centres of excellence in post-market pharmaceutical research to strengthen the evaluation of safety and effectiveness of drugs based on their use in the real world. This report is available on Health Canada's website.
To address issues of affordable access, the Strategy calls for catastrophic drug coverage options to be developed and analyzed. The NPS neither said nor implied a commitment to new funding from the federal government to expand coverage of catastrophic costs. The analysis of options began in phase 1 and was refined in the next phase, as directed in the 2006 NPS progress report. Provinces and territories may utilize this analysis to inform improvements in drug coverage for their residents. In fact, three provinces (NL, SK, NS) recently introduced improvements to their catastrophic drug coverage.
In addition to work on the NPS, the federal government has taken concrete steps to improve the safety of drugs, including a significant investment of $113 million over the next two years for the recently announced Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan.
The Government of Canada continues to work with provinces, territories and all stakeholders to improve access to a quality health care system, including access to needed drug therapies, that is sustainable and meets the needs of Canadians.
ParticipantFrom the Health Canada website, an important message from federal Health Minister Tony Clement about how the government is helping to raise autism awareness (although evidently not at the Revenue Canada Collection Agency)…
_________________Message from Tony Clement, Minister of Health
United Nations World Autism Awareness Day – April 2, 2008
April 2nd, 2008 marks the first annual Autism Awareness Day, launched by the United Nations and recognized worldwide. The aim of this day is to raise global awareness about autism, and to promote early diagnosis, intervention and services for individuals and their families coping with this disorder.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or autism, affects individuals from all walks of life, as well as their families, friends and caregivers. Autism can be defined by certain behaviours which come in combinations and in varying degrees of intensity. The symptoms often include difficulties with social interaction, communication, and behaviour. International studies suggest that autism affects six out of every 1,000 children.
Recent progress on autism is evident in many fields, from research and care to education and policy. However, we still require enhanced knowledge of the condition and greater understanding of the most effective treatments and interventions. This is why the Government of Canada continues to work with partners and stakeholders and invest in activities which support a stronger autism evidence base to enhance our understanding of this condition.
Government of Canada initiatives continue to improve autism knowledge and awareness. For example, the Government recently announced the establishment of a National Chair in Autism Research and Intervention, jointly funded with the Government of British Columbia and supported by $1 million in federal funding over five years. The Public Health Agency of Canada is currently working with experts in health surveillance to identify what could be done in Canada in this area. In addition, the Government of Canada has supported autism knowledge through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, which has spent and committed over $26 million on autism-related research since 2000.
Please join me in marking this very important day.
Tony Clement
Minister of Health
Government of CanadaFor more information on Autism Spectrum Disorder go to Health Canada's Autism Web section
ParticipantI'm very sorry to hear Amber about the idiotic correspondence you received from the Revenue Canada Agency.
The irony of a government which has done nothing to ensure reasonable access to treatment under Medicare having the audacity the day after World Autism Awareness Day to ask about the expected date of "recovery" for purposes of minimizing as much as possible any tax break is beyond description.
ParticipantYesterday was the first UN World Autism Awareness Day. Below is a collection of the statements and questions raised in the House of Commons and the Senate yesterday. Thank you Mr. Scott and Senator Munson for your efforts in trying to help Canadians affected by autism!
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House of CommonsApril 2, 2008
Statements by Members
UN World Autism Awareness Day
Mr. Mike Lake (EdmontonMill WoodsBeaumont, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago yesterday, my wife and I received word from doctors that our two and a half year old son, Jaden, had autism.
Today we mark the first ever UN World Autism Awareness Day. It is a day not only to discuss the many challenges that accompany this mysterious disorder, but to share and celebrate the truly unique and authentic individuals who have autism.
Jaden may not be a star hockey player or a straight A student, but he and other individuals with autism are remarkable in ways that we tend to undervalue in our goal oriented society.
Jaden does not know how to hate. He can be aggressive, but is never intentionally mean, and he does not know when other kids are being mean to him. He never gossips or holds a grudge.
He is 100% genuine and honest with his feelings, something that is particularly difficult when he is sad, because usually he is unable to communicate the reason for his tears.
Almost every single person in Jaden's life would say that they get more from him than he takes from them. We should all hope to one day achieve that kind of impact through our own lives.
_____________________World Autism Awareness Day
Hon. Andy Scott (Fredericton, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise today to acknowledge and celebrate the new UN resolution marking today, April 2, the first annual World Autism Awareness Day.
It has been more than a year and a half since I introduced my private member's motion calling for evidence based standards, innovative funding arrangements for diagnosis, treatment and research and a national surveillance program.
The motion was adopted in good faith and supported by the government. It is therefore regrettable that the Conservative government has made no mention of a national autism strategy in its past two budgets.
This is about improving the lives of hundreds of Canadian children and families. I call on the government to work with the provinces to take concrete action and make the necessary investments to finally implement a national autism strategy.
_______________________Debates of the Senate (Hansard)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Senators' Statements
World Autism Awareness Day
Hon. Jim Munson: Honourable senators, April 2 has been declared World Autism Awareness Day by the United Nations. There was consensus among 192 UN representatives that there is a need to draw the attention of people across the globe to this neurological disorder that is affecting more and more families. I am speaking today to inform my honourable colleagues that I intend to introduce a private member's bill so that Canada will also recognize April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day.
I remind honourable senators that autism now affects as many as 1 in 200 families in this country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States has called autism a national health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown. Autism affects more children than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined.
As honourable senators may remember, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology conducted a study on autism. The title of our report, Pay Now or Pay Later, Autism Families in Crisis, spoke volumes. Intensive Behavioural Intervention, a treatment that has proven to be effective for many people with autism, can cost more than $50,000 a year. However, providing no treatment and not spending any money would have huge costs as well. People with autism who receive little or no treatment often require full-time care or institutionalization.
I am fully aware that by declaring April 2 World Autism Awareness Day, we will not fix things overnight. Families will have to struggle with the demanding and difficult task of providing, finding and buying care for their children with autism. Parents will still have to worry about the future, about the day when they will be gone, about who will care for their child with autism.
Declaring April 2 World Autism Awareness Day is one small step in a journey to see that all people with autism and their families have the care and support they need. I hope that all honourable senators will support me when I table the bill that will provide for Canada's recognition of April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day so that we can take that small step on behalf of all Canadians.
I draw the attention of honourable senators to a young man who, as I speak, is walking across the country. Let us remember Terry Fox when he took the first step from a harbour in St. John's, Newfoundland. Some of those steps were lost along the way, and no one paid any attention to him in certain spots across this country; but as he walked, people did pay attention. There is now another young man whose name is Jonathan Howard. He is a young man who has set out from St. John's, Newfoundland, and intends to run across this country and he will do it to raise awareness about autism. He plans to arrive in Victoria on November 21.
If I can put a plug in for Jonathan Howard, honourable senators can visit him at his website at runthedream.ca. Who knows, maybe Jonathan Howard will be our next Terry Fox.
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Question Period
Finance
Proposed Registered Disability Savings Plan
Hon. Jim Munson: My question is directed to the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Under Senators' Statements I spoke about World Autism Awareness Day. I have recently returned from a news conference where members of the NDP and the Bloc Québécois participated, as well as MPs Mike Lake and Steven Fletcher of the Conservative Party. We still need answers on this important non-partisan issue.
My question comes directly from a father of a child with autism. He says, in the budget
Minister Flaherty announced the creation of a new tax sheltered savings account. However, in the last budget over a year ago, they announced the creation of a registered disability savings account that was supposed to be available in 2008. My wife and I, and many other parents across Canada were happy to hear of the disability savings plan and started to save up for it to invest on January 2, 2008. However, I have contacted two financial institutions who told me that the plans will NOT be available until the end of the year at the earliest because of footdragging at the Department of Finance on the technical details and regulations necessary to launch the plans and make them available to the public.
Would you please consider asking Senator LeBreton, what is the status of the Registered Disability Savings Plan and when do they expect it to become available, and whether it makes sense to try to duplicate something that they can't even seem to be able to give birth to in the first place?
Hon. Marjory LeBreton (Leader of the Government and Secretary of State (Seniors)): Honourable senators, the honourable senator is to be commended for his efforts today. This issue is indeed nonpartisan. We have members of our own caucus, as he knows and has mentioned, who are parents of autistic children. Over the last few weeks, CNN has given a great deal of attention to the severity of the issue, its complexity and the puzzlement as to exactly what causes autism.
With regard to the specific question from the father, he asked a valid question, and I will approach my colleague, the Minister of Finance, to find out the exact status of this program.
Senator Munson: I thank the leader and I appreciate that response.
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Health
National Strategy for Autism
Hon. Jim Munson: Honourable senators, I have a supplementary question. The government leader is a persuasive minister, and I would ask her to try to persuade Minister Tony Clement to do more. In her answer to Senator St. Germain a few weeks ago, she talked about what the government has done in terms of an autism research chair at Simon Fraser, which is laudable. She also said that through research and knowledge, the researchers will work with the provinces and territories to share best practices. She said that the federal government is taking action. When she talks about sharing best practices, researchers, provinces and territories, the time is opportune for the federal government to bring these parties together. As the leader of the government knows, in our bipartisan report with Senator Keon, we are looking for a national strategy. One way to open this door is for the minister to bring them into the room to work out best practices, which, even at this level, is important in research.
Hon. Marjory LeBreton (Leader of the Government and Secretary of State (Seniors)): I believe that Minister Clement and his provincial and territorial counterparts have discussed the issue. Whether it was the specific topic I am not aware of, but I will provide the honourable senator's suggestion to the minister and encourage him to do everything he can, working with provincial and territorial counterparts, to move this issue along and address this serious situation that many families in this country face.
ParticipantRelease
For Immediate Release
SENATOR JIM MUNSON CALLS FOR THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL 2 AS WORLD AUTISM DAY
OTTAWA, April 2, 2008 The Honourable Jim Munson (Ottawa-Rideau Canal) joins several members of Canadas Parliament to call on the Government of Canada to recognize April 2 as World Autism Day. In 2007, the United Nations officially designated this important day in order to draw attention to a neurological disorder affecting an increasing amount of families across the world each year.
Senator Munson plans to introduce a Private Members Bill in the Senate of Canada to ensure that Canada officially recognizes World Autism Day. This is not a partisan initiative; it is in fact the continuation of the efforts of members of all parties who want to tell the families of autistic children that someone on Parliament Hill cares. We want them to know that Canada recognizes the toll autism can have on their children and their families.
Senator Munson launched the Senate Inquiry into the treatment of autism in Canada. This resulted in the publication of the report of the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology entitled Pay Now or Pay Later. Follow this link to view the report: http://www.parl.gc.ca/39/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/soci-e/rep-e/repfinmar07-e.htm
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For more information, please contact:
The Honourable Jim Munson
Senator (Ottawa Rideau Canal)
Tel: (613) 947-2504ParticipantHappy World Autism Awareness Day!
This morning I got off the bus downtown to go to work and the first person I saw was Shawn Murphy, MP, the gentleman who previously tabled a Private Members' Bill calling for a National Autism Strategy. So I approached him and asked him if he would be making a statement in the House of Commons today or something. He told me that several MPs have a press conference scheduled for 1pm today. Hopefully it will be something interesting and carried live on the news channels.
ParticipantIt appears that there is some confusion out there…
From: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19427957&BRD=1998&PAG=461&dept_id=221583&rfi=6
Advocate lauds throne speech autism pledge
Paul Galinski — Peak Reporter
03/27/2008Provincial government creating centre to help children and to provide parental support
BC's throne speech commitment to autism research has elated Powell River autism advocate Sheri Marino.
"I am ecstatic," she said. "I went through hell fighting government for seven years. I believe my fighting has been the turning point for the government to put forward an autism plan in the throne speech."
In the throne speech, Steven L. Point, Lieutenant-Governor, said: "A new centre for autism education and research will be developed. It will provide a residential environment for children with autism and create a national hub for research and a centre for parental supports.
"The causes of childhood afflictions such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder, remain poorly understood. This legislature will be asked to approve major investments aimed at strengthening our ability to prevent and treat such conditions."
Marino said the autism centre will conduct a spectrum of research. "This is huge for kids," she said. "The provincial government is opening up and looking for solutions. It's a huge step in the right direction. It's a huge opportunity to band together and work toward the best interests of kids."
Marino said she was flabbergasted to hear the announcement because she never expected it to come out of a throne speech. "It looks like solid support from the provincial government but I will still hold the government's feet to the fire," she said. "I am quite well known in Victoria."
Marino said she is still waiting to see the implications of the throne speech announcements. She has been in touch with Premier Gordon Campbell and the health minister to receive details about the ramifications of the provincial government's commitment to budget for autism research.
The common therapy for children with autism, applied behavioural analysis, is only 13 per cent effect, Marino said, so it is important to examine other therapeutic measures.
"There is a need to look at different kinds of therapies," she said. "I want people to look at what I have done with my son. He has become more communicative and has improved his social and behavioural skills. His progress has been amazing through the methodologies that have been applied during his life. The sky is the limit if the right support is received.
"British Columbia is so far behind some of the other provinces in research and parental support. We are talking about kids here, not faulty equipment."
Marino said a support group for parents and relatives of autistic children scheduled for early this month did not proceed. Nonetheless, she is planning to work toward the creation of a group.
"Inside the heart of every child is a gift so precious just waiting to be drawn out," she said.
ParticipantHi Folks,
As many of you know by now, the United Nations declared Wednesday, April 2, 2008, to be "World Autism Day". This provides our community in every neighbourhood and around the world with a wonderful opportunity to "raise the flag" and, to use former Cold War lingo, "agitate".
It also provides the media with a good reason to broadcast or print some sort of reports or documentaries.
Finally, it also provides governments with opportunities to not only say how the future will be different from the past, but also to outline what concrete steps they will take, and when. April 2 obviously provides a great symbolic day to take step 1.
However, realistically speaking, does anyone expect any government in Canada to take advantage of World Autism Day to actually say, or more importantly, do, anything meaningful and memorable?
I suspect many are waiting with baited breath to be surprised. As we inevitably approach April 2, let's have a countdown. Today is Wednesday, March 26. April 2 is exactly one week away! Let's all say it out loud together folks! Seven!
ParticipantHere is the runner's website…
runthedream.ca
See the "purpose" of the run, etc…includine the "convince the Governments" part…
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