Michael Barrett, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes
Linked statement
“Members of the military are more likely to get ALS. I want the government to spend 50 million dollars on ALS research and clinical trials, including studying the link between military service and the disease.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell the House and Canadians about Bob Gibson, who is a retired air force pilot. He and his wife, Charmaine, are on Parliament Hill today. Their son followed in his dad’s footsteps and is also a pilot in the air force. Something members might not know is that members of the Canadian Armed Forces are more likely to be diagnosed with ALS. Unfortunately, Bob has an ALS diagnosis and is worried that his son, who followed in his footsteps of serving the country, may also face the same diagnosis. The ALS community is calling for a $50-million investment from the Government of Canada, and I support its request. The funding would open clinical trials, help researchers understand the disease and explore the link between military service and ALS. We know that time counts. Members of the House will remember our late hon. colleague Mauril Bélanger, who had nine months from diagnosis to his passing. We can do more than offer hope and best wishes to people living with ALS and to those who serve our country. We can help fund research and hope.”
Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell the House and Canadians about Bob Gibson, who is a retired air force pilot. He and his wife, Charmaine, are on Parliament Hill today. Their son followed in his dad’s footsteps and is also a pilot in the air force. Something members might not know is that members of the Canadian Armed Forces are more likely to be diagnosed with ALS. Unfortunately, Bob has an ALS diagnosis and is worried that his son, who followed in his footsteps of serving the country, may also face the same diagnosis. The ALS community is calling for a $50-million investment from the Government of Canada, and I support its request. The funding would open clinical trials, help researchers understand the disease and explore the link between military service and ALS. We know that time counts. Members of the House will remember our late hon. colleague Mauril Bélanger, who had nine months from diagnosis to his passing. We can do more than offer hope and best wishes to people living with ALS and to those who serve our country. We can help fund research and hope.