Gélinas wants better treatment for people with rare diseases

Gélinas Calls for Improved Support for People with Rare Diseases

Ontario’s New Democratic Party has revived a bill aimed at establishing a comprehensive provincial plan to improve care, diagnosis, and treatment for people with rare medical conditions.

Proposal for a Provincial Strategy

France Gélinas, MPP for Nickel Belt and official opposition health critic, reintroduced the bill in the Legislative Assembly. She urges the Ministry of Health to create a formal strategy to assist residents struggling with rare diseases who face major barriers to timely diagnosis, proper screening, and adequate treatment.

Bill 59 and Its Objectives

The legislation, known as Bill 59, is co-sponsored by Dr. Robin Lennox, MPP for Hamilton Centre and the NDP critic for Mental Health, Addictions and Primary Care. Together they are pressing the Conservative government to implement the 19 recommendations made by the Rare Diseases Working Group in their 2017 report.

Scope and Urgency

According to the NDP’s statement, rare diseases affect roughly one in every twelve Canadians — more than 1.3 million Ontarians. Current gaps in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment often leave patients to manage serious and isolating health challenges on their own.

“From disease prevention to diagnosis and treatment, every step is difficult, leaving too many people to face debilitating impact on their own,” the NDP release stated.

Potential Impact of the Bill

If enacted, Bill 59 would enhance access to early diagnostic tools, improve screening programs, and help patients obtain both existing and emerging therapies. Advocates argue the law could significantly improve quality of life for those living with rare and often overlooked medical conditions.

Author’s Summary

The proposed Bill 59 aims to create a coordinated provincial response to the challenges faced by Ontarians with rare diseases, improving access to timely diagnosis, treatment, and support.

Sudbury.com — 2025-11-03