Education & Advocacy Day 2022: Queen’s Park
Asthma Canada hosted our Queen’s Park Day in November 2022 for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. The objective was to reconnect with Ontario’s Members of Provincial Parliament and put Asthma Canada’s priorities back on their radar.
The virtual information session on November 17, 2022 focused on high-level messaging, myth busting and increasing general awareness around asthma management and the needs of Canadians that live with asthma.
We also coordinated a series of targeted meetings to dig into priorities in more detail and raise awareness among key decision makers at Queen’s Park, including the Hon. Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. A key measure of success was the interest received from Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health on establishing a SABA overreliance check program in pharmacy. The Minister committed to look into the priorities raised by Asthma Canada including implementation of Ontario’s Asthma Quality Standards with accountability, optimal care pathways including timely access to specialist care, expanding the role of Certified Respiratory Educators, and access to biologics.
View our presented materials:
World Asthma Day 2019: Advocacy in Queen’s Park
On May 7, 2019, Asthma Canada hosted a breakfast reception at the Ontario Legislative Assembly at Queen’s Park in recognition of World Asthma Day. MPP Christine Hogarth sponsored the event.
We hosted a number of MPPs and policy makers and had the opportunity to raise awareness among elected officials from all parties about the impact of asthma on our patient population, our health system, and our economy. Our community members shared first-hand experiences of living with asthma and caring for people with asthma and Severe Asthma.
On World Asthma Day at Queen’s Park, Asthma Canada launched our Severe Asthma Patient Charter in Canada containing six principles that define the basic standard of care and best practices for treating this disease. The Charter was developed in collaboration with the Global Asthma and Allergy Patient Platform.
Asthma Canada staff and volunteers were pleased to be introduced in the House during question period, and happy to witness MPP Will Bouma direct a friendly question at Minister of Health Christine Elliott regarding asthma in recognition of World Asthma Day.
This initiative helped us identify a number of champions, many of whom either live with asthma or have loved ones who do, who we can work with to shape policies for the asthma community in Ontario and ensure that the healthcare system transformation assumes a patient-centric approach.
Asthma Canada continues to work with policy makers at all levels and advocates on behalf of people affected by asthma and Severe Asthma.
View our presented materials:
- World Asthma Day Pamphlet
- Severe Asthma Patient Charter
- Friendly Question transcript: Will Bouma and Christine Elliot
View photos from the day below.
WAD 2019
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World Asthma Day 2017: Advocacy on Parliament Hill
On May 2nd 2017, Asthma Canada volunteers and staff were in Ottawa meeting with federal officials in recognition of World Asthma Day. Our group met with numerous Members of Parliament and policy makers, including the Chair of the Health Committee, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, and the Vice-Chair for the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.
Our advocacy day on Parliament Hill was a great success as we met with new champions and were able to move forward key policy issues impacting the asthma community. As the only national voice solely dedicated to Canadians living with asthma, we are committed to advancing concerns identified by our community.
Our Hill Day focused on two priority areas:
- Sustainable clean air energy mix
- Comprehensive drug coverage that addresses gaps in the healthcare system
MP Rob Oliphant of Don Valley West also made an announcement in the House of Commons in recognition of World Asthma Day.
Attachments:
- YouTube of Rob Oliphant
- House of Commons transcript
View our presented materials:
