Manitoba Election 2023
Parkinson Canada is asking the Manitoba members of our community to reach out to their electoral candidates and ask them to prioritize Parkinson’s. With more than 4,000 of the 100,000 Canadians living with Parkinson’s residing in Manitoba, it is time that the government recognizes that the province’s healthcare outcomes need improvement.
This is the opportunity to have your voice heard. Please visit the Manitoba election hub for ways to get involved.
Alberta Election 2023
The votes have been cast, and the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta (UCP) was elected for another term. Parkinson Canada looks forward to continuing to work with Premier Danielle Smith and all members of the 31st provincial legislature.
Although the election is behind us, there is still much work to do. Head over to our election page for ways to get involved, including how to message your elected official regarding healthcare outcomes for Albertans affected by Parkinson’s.
Prince Edward Island Election 2023
The votes have been cast, and we are looking forward to continuing to work with the Progressive Conservative’s Party Leader Dennis King and other elected officials. Click below for additional information and resources.
Québec Election 2022
The votes have been cast, and we are looking forward to continuing to work with Party Leader François Legault, the Coalition Avenir Québec, and other elected officials. Click below for additional information and resources.
Ontario Election 2022
The votes have been cast, and the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario was re-elected for another term. Parkinson Canada looks forward to working with Premier Doug Ford and the newly formed provincial government.
Although the election is behind us, there is still much work to be done. Head over to our election page for ways to get involved, including how to message your elected official regarding healthcare outcomes for Ontarians affected by Parkinson’s.
Parkinson Canada Roundtables
Gaps in healthcare provider education, care coordination, and access to care and treatments are top priorities for the Parkinson’s community
More than 150 community members, including people with Parkinson’s, care partners, community organizations, healthcare specialists and government officials from across Canada participated in a nine-part series of roundtable discussions, which led to the creation of the National Roundtable Report. The report explores the advocacy needs of Canadians living with Parkinson’s and is the first step in building the foundation of future advocacy efforts for Parkinson Canada.
Findings from the report include the following key priorities for improving the quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s in Canada:
- Identify and address gaps for additional training and knowledge transfer to qualified healthcare providers about Parkinson’s, which will allow for earlier diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s.
- Examine the systemic issues and barriers throughout the healthcare system to determine what steps can be taken to increase the number of healthcare practitioners available to support people with Parkinson’s.
- Advance equitable access to care and improved treatments for all Canadians living with Parkinson’s.
It’s time Canada had a system of care for people impacted by Parkinson’s
Wait times to diagnosis and access to multidisciplinary care are significant concerns in the Parkinson community. You have been telling Parkinson Canada, your current care team, and public healthcare agencies that these are priorities and your voice is being heard.
One in five Canadians with Parkinson’s wait more than a year to receive a formal diagnosis after first reporting their symptoms to a medical professional. The average wait time to see a Parkinson’s specialist is nearly a year; in some areas of the country, it’s more than two years. If you’ve been through it, you know. This wait delays potential treatments and therapies. It stalls the planning of families impacted by Parkinson’s, and it creates additional anxiety for the person receiving the diagnosis.
Parkinson’s is a highly complex disease that requires a range of therapies and approaches to manage symptoms. Although there are some models of care in parts of the country for Parkinson’s, there is no consistent approach to care.
How to Include Your Voice
No matter what, Parkinson Canada is committed to raising the voice of those affected by Parkinson’s. Together, we can call on our local government representatives for improved healthcare outcomes for the Canadian Parkinson community.
Learn more about how you can get involved with our advocacy work by becoming a Parkinson Canada Ambassador.
Download the Election Toolkit
Although this toolkit was created for the 2021 Federal Election, there are great tips and tools included that will be helpful for year-round advocacy work.
Watch the December 2021 National Advocacy Webinar
Parkinson Canada and key regional partners conducted a series of round tables over the course of the summer and fall, which brought together more than 150 community members from across the country. From Newfoundland, to Nunavut, to Vancouver Island, we heard from people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners, regional community organizations, and a variety of researchers and healthcare professionals.
This webinar discussed key findings from the roundtable series, and outlined Parkinson Canada’s next steps and recommendations. Speakers included Parkinson Canada staff members and community leaders with lived experience. Following the presentations there was a Q&A portion.