Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Shows Support for Canadians Living With Multiple Sclerosis

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - May 04, 2016) - Earlier today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with members of the MS community and representatives from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada to mark MS Awareness Month (May) and to demonstrate his support for all Canadians impacted by the disease. The Prime Minister commended the advocacy efforts of these groups, which are focused on tangible recommendations to improve employment supports for people affected by MS (e.g. extend the duration of EI benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks to match compassionate care benefits) and to accelerate government's investment into research for progressive MS (e.g. to develop effective disease-modifying therapies for progressive MS, for which there are currently no treatments available).

"I want to thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for showing his support during MS Awareness Month," says Yves Savoie, president and CEO, MS Society of Canada. "Prime Minister Trudeau's visit with members of the MS community underscores the importance of our efforts to help improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of Canadians affected by multiple sclerosis as well as reinforces the Canadian Government's commitment to supporting research to help prevent and treat chronic conditions."

"I have lived with progressive MS for 20 years and I am very excited about Canada's leadership in the fight to end MS," says Marie Vaillant, Board Chair, Ontario and Nunavut Division, MS Society Canada and Board Vice Chair, Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. "Knowing that our country is a part of the global movement to bring together researchers to understand the progression of MS, develop clinical trials and find treatments that have eluded us so far is crucial to those of us who live with progressive MS."

From May 2-4, 2016 representatives from the MS Society of Canada and members of the MS community met with a range of parliamentarians in Ottawa to launch MS Awareness Month and to bring forward issues of the utmost importance for those affected by MS.

Image details (from left to right): Hedy Fry (Member of Parliament, Vancouver Centre), Benjamin Davis (National Vice President, Government Relations, MS Society of Canada), Marie Vaillant (Board Chair, Ontario and Nunavut Division, MS Society Canada and person with MS), Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Yves Savoie (President and CEO, MS Society of Canada). Photo credit: Brian T. Hum.

About multiple sclerosis and the MS Society of Canada
Canada has the highest rate of multiple sclerosis in the world. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system comprising the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. It is one of the most common neurological diseases affecting young adults in Canada. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, and the unpredictable effects of MS last for the rest of their lives. The MS Society provides services to people with MS and their families and funds research to find the cause and cure for this disease. Please visit mssociety.ca or call 1-800-268-7582 to make a donation or for more information.

Join the conversation and connect with the MS community online. Find the MS Society on Twitter, Instagram or like our page on Facebook.

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