Question Period Note: Lyme Disease

Lyme disease continues to draw public, political and media attention with particular scrutiny on the number of human cases, risks, diagnosis and treatment in Canada.

• Our Government recognizes that Lyme disease is increasing in Canada, due in part to climate change.
• We are committed to working with stakeholders to help protect Canadians.
• We are raising public awareness of Lyme disease and making sure health care providers have the information they need to recognize the symptoms.
• We also recognize the need for more research on Lyme Disease. That is why the Government is providing close to $4 million to the Pan-Canadian Lyme Disease Research Network that focuses on diagnosis and treatment.

Caused by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, Lyme disease can cause serious symptoms such as long-term neurological problems, chronic pain and fatigue. However, if diagnosed early, it can be effectively treated with antibiotics. The number of regions with established blacklegged ticks continues to increase across Canada. The provinces reported 2,025 cases of Lyme disease in 2017, comparatively to 992 cases in 2016. The incidence of Lyme disease is increasing in many areas of Canada, in part due to climate warming and associated expansion of tick habitat.

Federal Role:
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) monitors Lyme disease in Canada. It provides national information on the number of cases reported and identifies where Lyme disease is present and emerging in Canada. Addressing Lyme disease is a shared responsibility. In partnership with public health authorities at other levels of government, the Government of Canada is raising awareness through public education; supporting surveillance activities and national reporting; conducting and supporting laboratory diagnostic testing; engaging with international and domestic organizations; and funding research. Provinces and territories provide healthcare services to Lyme disease patients and coordinate prevention and control activities.

Federal Framework on Lyme Disease:
The Federal Framework on Lyme Disease Act came into force on May 30, 2017. The effectiveness of the Framework must be reviewed in five years, and a report on these findings must also be tabled in each House of Parliament (2022). The Framework includes an Action Plan with three pillars:
• Surveillance: Coordination of national surveillance to monitor and report on human cases of Lyme disease and the geographic distribution of ticks;
• Education and Awareness: Increasing awareness of Lyme disease among health professionals and the general public; and,
• Guidelines and Best Practices: Supporting medical professionals and provincial laboratories in the diagnosis of Lyme disease and work to improve laboratory diagnostic testing.

There is no dedicated long term funding for the implementation of the Federal Framework on Lyme disease.

Research Network on Lyme disease:
Between 2014-15 and 2018-19, CIHR invested approximately $2.6 million in Lyme disease research. This includes approximately $1.1 million in 2018-19.

In October 2018, CIHR and PHAC invested over $3.9 million in the Pan Canadian Lyme Disease Research Network, led by Dr. Kieran Moore from Queen’s University. Dr. Moore and his research team will bring together Lyme disease stakeholders, including researchers, clinicians and patients, in order to facilitate national collaboration and to generate new knowledge to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and health outcomes for people with Lyme disease.

Infectious Diseases and Climate Change Fund:
PHAC’s Infectious Disease and Climate Change (IDCC) Fund provides $2 million annually over 11 years (2017-2028) to help Canadians, communities and health professionals have the information they need to better understand their risks and take measures to protect themselves from climate-driven infectious diseases. More than $3.1 million in funding has been invested to support eleven new Lyme disease projects focussed on enhancing surveillance and monitoring efforts, and developing new education and awareness resources and tools for the public and health professionals.

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