Federal Forum on Dementia

Canada’s federal parties weigh-in

Last September, Dementia Advocacy Canada (DAC), a grassroots group of people living with dementia and care partners from across the country, hosted an online federal forum on dementia. The intent was to learn, if elected, how and when Canada’s federal parties would implement Canada’s new national dementia strategy, A Dementia Strategy for Canada: Together We Aspire, which was released last June. The forum was hosted by DAC co-chair Mary Beth Wighton and moderated by André Picard, health columnist, for the Globe and Mail.

Representatives from the NDP, Conservative, Green and Liberal parties participated in the forum and weighed in on supporting front-line staff, the importance of advocacy and investing in dementia-related research. There was a consensus amongst the parties for MPs to form an all-party dementia caucus, and to implement mandatory dementia education for MP staff members.

Active engagement from Canada’s federal parties regarding the strategy is a positive step forward, but continued advocacy is essential to ensure that the strategy is implemented. [ ]

Learn more about DAC at dementiacanada.com