Finally, a national dementia strategy for Canada

TORONTO, June 23, 2017 /CNW/ - The Ontario Dementia Advisory Group (ODAG) is delighted that the Canadian government has answered calls for a response to the growing dementia crisis with the passage of Bill C-233, An Act respecting a national strategy for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. After years of continuous advocacy by ODAG and many other organizations, Canada will now become the 30^th government out of 194 World Health Organization members to develop a plan on dementia.

ODAG commends the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science, and Technology and the Bill's co-sponsors, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, MP Niagara Falls, and Rob Oliphant, MP Don Valley West, for their leadership and collaboration to make a national dementia strategy a reality.

"A national dementia strategy presents a significant opportunity to address the human rights of people with dementia," says Mary Beth Wighton, Chair of ODAG. "There is an international movement to recognize dementia as a disability and afford people with dementia certain rights under the United Nations' Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This framework must underpin Canada's dementia strategy."

Now that the federal government has committed to action on dementia, work begins on developing and implementing the strategy.

"The government's commitment is a critical step, but now the real work begins," says Wighton. "We look forward to the inclusion of people with dementia in the creation and implementation of Canada's national dementia strategy."

About the Ontario Dementia Advisory Group
The Ontario Dementia Advisory Group was formed in 2014 and comprises of individuals from all walks of life who are living with dementia and who work together to influence policies and practices and ensure their voices are heard. For more about ODAG, visit www.odag.ca.

SOURCE Ontario Dementia Advisory Group

Media contact: Mary Beth Wighton, Chair, Ontario Dementia Advisory Group, [email protected]