ALS Bill Reintroduction

Tilson Reintroduces Bill to Designate June as ALS Month

November 30, 2021

OTTAWA – David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon, rose in the House of Commons today to reintroduce his Private Member’s Bill that would designate June as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) Month.

“This issue is one that is close to my heart, as my own father succumbed to ALS,” Tilson stated. “I believe that this bill is a small but essential part of building public awareness about the disease and supporting efforts to find a cure. I hope that the bill will garner support from all sides of the House.”

ALS, a progressive and usually fatal neuromuscular disease, is characterized by the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. The disorder causes muscle weakness and atrophy, ultimately leading to total loss of ability to initiate and control voluntary movement except for the eyes.

The ALS Society of Canada's CEO Lindee David said, "We would like to thank Mr. Tilson for his ongoing leadership and commitment to raise awareness about ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), a neurodegenerative disease where 80 per cent of those living with ALS, die within two to five years of diagnosis. June is ALS Awareness Month in Canada and we need your support to raise awareness and funds to support and improve the quality of life of people living with ALS."