FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 2, 2008
GATINEAU, Québec – The Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC) and its national partners are gearing up for Brain Injury Awareness Month in Canada, June 2008. From the movie house to the House of Commons, events aiming to inform and protect Canadians against this costly, yet preventable injury will occur throughout the month.
“Some sport helmets sold in Canada offer no more protection than putting a bag of milk over your head.” – Ski Canada Magazine (December 2002)
Locally and nationally, Brain Injury Awareness Month brings to light the ongoing struggle organizations such as the Brain Injury Association of Canada have chosen to undertake to reduce the number of preventable injuries in Canada, including brain injuries. Treating preventable injuries costs Canadians $14.7 billion per year. This price is putting Canadian business at an economic disadvantage, lowering the standard of living for all Canadians, and putting our publicly funded health care system at risk.
In June, the BIAC will ask Canadians to do their part to protect themselves, and their children. Many communities and legislators are already doing their part. Olympic host municipality, West Vancouver, has taken a resolution to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities urging them to develop a national injury prevention strategy. The Canadian Standards Association will publish, in June, the world’s best standard for ski and snow-board helmets; however, helmet manufacturers have refused to apply these standards unless legislated to by the federal government. Doctor Hedy Fry, MLA for Vancouver Center, has written to Prime Minister Harper, asking for an Order in Council to have her private members bill (C-412) passed.
Bill C-412, if enacted would amend the Hazardous Products Act, and prohibit the advertising, sale, or import into Canada of recreational snow sport helmets that do not meet the requirements of applicable Canadian Standards Association specifications.
“There is no legislation requiring other sport helmets to be CSA approved. This places many children and youth at risk of serious brain injuries or death.” – George Abbott, Health Minister, British Columbia
To support Dr. Fry’s efforts, Canadians are asked to tell our prime minister and health minister that we need Bill C-412. Until such a law is passed, our government is turning its back on the leading killer and disabler of children and young adults in Canada. As a result, Canada will remain near the bottom of a list of countries whose governments invest in youth injury prevention programs.
June 2008: Brain Injury Awareness Month Activities
- June 6, Lower Mainland Brain Injury Association Community Picnic: To celebrate Brain Injury Awareness Month, the LMBIA is organizing a picnic to encourage brain injury survivors, their family and friends, to get behind Canadian injury prevention efforts. Richard Kinar, spokesperson for the BIAC, will be a guest speaker. For information, contact Gabrielle Martin at 604-521-0833, extension 225, or gmartin@lmbia.org.
- June 11, 8pm: Wipe Out to air on the British Columbia’s Knowledge Network. The film—which premiered at Vancouver’s DOXA Documentary Film Festival, May 30th— highlights the dangers and consequences of head injuries through the eyes of extreme sport accident victims; and is produced by British Columbia’s Knowledge Network, written and directed by award-winning film maker, Lionel Goddard, and narrated by Canadian Olympic gold snow-boarder Ross Rebagliati.
- Beginning June 11: a companion website to Wipe Out will be accessible at www.knowledgenetwork.ca/wipeout. In addition to being able to view the documentary in its entirety, the website will offer valuable resources for parents and teachers, a video blog, and messaging for kids.
- Hawaiian Oyster Odysseys occur all over the country throughout the year. In June there will be two: Charlottetown, June 7, and Vancouver, June 16. These fun fund raisers raise awareness of brain injuries and their impact on survivors and their families.
- BIAC Bursary: In June, the BIAC will award its first $2,000 bursary to a brain injury survivor pursuing post-secondary education opportunities in an English or French institution or apprenticeship/trades program in Canada. More information.
Brain Injury Association of Canada
The BIAC’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all Canadians affected by acquired brain injury and promote its prevention. It is dedicated to facilitating post-trauma research, education and advocacy in partnership with national, provincial/territorial and regional associations, and other stakeholders. The BIAC is incorporated as a national charitable organization under the Canada Corporations Act and Canada Revenue Agency.
For more information on Wipe-Out, helmet issues, or interview requests, contact:
Richard Kinar
Brain Injury Association of Canada
Cell: (604) 910-2435
Home: (604) 922-8197
richard_kinar@yahoo.ca
For information on Brain Injury Awareness Month or the bursary program, please contact:
Yvan Teasdale
Chair, Government Relations and Public Affairs Committee
Brain Injury Association of Canada
Tel. (819) 685-9023
yjk.teasdale@sympatico.ca
