The purpose of the document is to provide you with a list of brain injury issues to address to candidates when visiting your home or during a forum of candidates.
Background:
Helping Canadian families cope with acquired brain injury
Founded in 2003 the Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC) is the national umbrella organization representing and coordinating a network of provincial/regional associations and stakeholders from across the country.
BIAC’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all Canadians affected by acquired brain injury and promote its prevention.
Also, BIAC is dedicated to facilitate post trauma research, education and advocacy in partnership with national, provincial/territorial and regional associations and stakeholders. A national brain injury association can be a tremendous force in the efforts to give what is often called the ‘’invisible disability,’’ the recognition and the profile it warrants as the leading cause of death and disability among Canadians under the age of 45.
More specifically, BIAC was involved in organizing and promoting:
- a prevention campaign with a documentary ‘Wipe Out’ which highlights the dangers and consequences of head injuries through the eyes of extreme sport accident victims
- a law that will prohibit the sale of helmets which do not meet Canadian Standards Association (CSA) criteria for use in winter sports in Canada
- the month of June as Brain Injury Awareness Month (BIAM) in Canada
- a Bursary Program to assist survivors in pursuing education opportunities in English or French post secondary institutions
- Hawaiian Oyster Odyssey fundraisers in many major Canadian cities in order to assist the Association in meeting its objectives of prevention, awareness, promoting research, education and networking for brain injury survivors
- A national conference for brain injury survivors, their families and caregivers from across Canada to attend presentations and workshops offered by health professionals.
- A website and newsletter on brain injury issues.
1. Questions:
Can you tell me what you know about acquired brain injury? Would you be interested in learning more about it? Have you ever heard of the Brain Injury Association of Canada?
Background:
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.
2. Questions:
Would you support holding a national debate in order to develop a national injury prevention strategy in Canada?
Would you invest in promoting and funding a national injury prevention strategy in Canada?
Background:
The Canadian Standards Association published, in June 2008, 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, a law that will prohibit the sale of helmets for use in winter sports in Canada which do not meet Canadian Standards Association specifications/standards
“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.
Brain injury is 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.
3. Question:
Would you support the passing of a private members bill (C-412) amending 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?
Background:
Resumption of activity and social integration are goals every survivor wishes to achieve. The aim is to ease a person’s integration back into his or her personal life, family situation, social relations, work and studies. More often than not, availability of care depends on where you live, if you have adequate insurance coverage and family and friends willing to support you along the way. Normally, care should be provided at home, within a family environment, or as part of the services provided by: a health program, an outpatient care facility, an educational institution or the victim’s employer.
The goal pursued here is the person’s rehabilitation, to facilitate a resumption of normal activities by increasing self-reliance in daily living.
4. Questions:
Recognizing the need for re-training and for vocational support for people with acquired brain injury (ABI), what would you do to encourage the development of or expansion of vocational and educational programs?
What would you do to ensure that ABI survivors with limited employability receive income support for necessary medical care and adequate housing adapted to their specific needs?
Does your party have a national policy concerning brain injury – both its prevention, and rehabilitation following this physical disability of the brain?
Contact person:
Yvan Teasdale
Chair, Government Relations & Public Affairs Committee/
Comité des relations gouvernementales et des affaires publiques
Brain Injury Association of Canada / Association canadienne des lésés cérébraux
Tel. (819) 685-9023 / (819) 777-2492
Fax: (819) 595-2458
Email: yjk.teasdale@sympatico.ca
Website: www.biac-aclc.ca
