Federal NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair unveiled more details of his plan to focus on help for Canadians living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and their families during a visit to Cranbrook yesterday.

“Stephen Harper has left important health issues like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease without resources or leadership, just as the number of Canadians living with the conditions is expected to double,” said Mulcair. “Our vision for health care, where you need it, when you need it, includes a major effort to lower the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia on Canadians and their families.”

Mulcair was in the Key City to visit with Wayne Stetski, NDP Candidate for MP – Kootenay Columbia, and supporters.

An NDP government would work with provinces and territories, and invest $40 million to create a national Alzheimer’s and Dementia Strategy that will support screening, early diagnosis and treatment to help slow progression of the conditions, Mulcair stated.

The plan would also aim to improve resources for newly diagnosed patients and their families to access needed care and fund additional Alzheimer’s and dementia research, ensuring that activities are being coordinated to maximize resources and results.

“To ensure the effectiveness of our national strategy, we will create the Canadian Alzheimer’s and Dementia Partnership,” said Mulcair. “This will bring governments, researchers, the Alzheimer Society and others together to maximize support for patients and families, while reversing the damage of Stephen Harper’s lost decade.”

Mulcair said he will continue to announce his public health care strategy for Canadians in the coming days.

The NDP will also release a full costing prior to Thursday’s debate and is calling on Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau to do the same, a press release stated.

Lead image: NDP Candidate for MP for Kootenay-Columbia Wayne Stetski, right, listens as Thomas Mulcair addresses a gathering yesterday afternoon at a 12th Avenue South home. Photos submitted

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