Statement by Dr. Kirsty Duncan on the Conservative Government’s decision to defeat her Private Members Bill C-280 calling for clinical trials to put Canada at the forefront of International Research 

Ottawa – “I’m extremely disappointed that the Health Minister chose to play politics with the lives of Canadians suffering from MS.

Instead of looking meaningfully at the science by having an expert panel with experts in diagnosis and treatment of CCSVI, and listening to leading North American doctors, who strongly supported Bill C-280, and in fact, called for adaptive phase ll/lll clinical trials, the Minister worked to kill this bill.

Over the past two weeks, the Minister took extraordinary steps to try and defeat this bill, the likes of which are rarely seen regarding private members bills. For example, she released a letter to parliamentarians that was factually incorrect, and clearly showed that neither the Minister nor her officials have taken the time to properly research the science and accurately present it to Canadians.

As a research scientist, I believe our decisions must be based on evidence; unfortunately for two years this government has failed to collect any evidence.

Over the past two years, I have attended seven of nine international scientific conferences regarding CCSVI. I am in contact with the world-leading doctors and scientists who actually diagnose and treat CCSVI. Regrettably no government official has ever attended one conference where the cutting-edge science is presented.

Despite this setback, I am absolutely committed to continue following the science and to stand up for the 55,000-75,000 Canadians suffering from MS. I will continue to work with colleagues from all sides of the House, and to work with colleagues in the Senate to try and persuade this Minister to do the right thing: to work with the province and territories to develop a national strategy for CCSVI; to undertake clinical trials to put Canada at the forefront of international research; and to ensure Canadians have follow-up care following treatment for CCSVI.

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