Summary#
This Act designates May 17 of each year as National Diffuse Midline Glioma Awareness Day across Canada. It is a symbolic recognition. It does not create programs, funding, or legal holidays.
- Sets May 17 as a national awareness day for diffuse midline glioma (designation clause).
- Applies throughout Canada, every year (designation clause).
- Does not create a statutory holiday, paid leave, or closures (bill text contains no such provision).
- Includes a preamble that explains the disease and states Parliament’s aim to increase awareness to encourage research investment and to honour those who died (Preamble).
- Aligns Canada with other countries that recognize the same date (Preamble).
What it means for you#
- Households
- May 17 will be known nationally by this name. There are no legal obligations or benefits tied to the day (designation clause; bill text).
- Workers and employers
- No new paid holiday or time off. Work schedules do not change due to this Act (bill text).
- Schools, health providers, and community groups
- No mandated activities or reporting. Any observance is voluntary (bill text).
- Charities and researchers
- A consistent national date exists for outreach and education. The Act does not provide funding or grants (Preamble; bill text).
- Governments (federal, provincial, municipal)
- No required programs, campaigns, or costs. Agencies may choose how, if at all, to acknowledge the day. The Act includes no mandates (bill text).
Expenses#
Estimated net cost: CAD $0/year in direct appropriations (ongoing).
- Appropriations: None. The Act only designates a day (bill text).
- New programs, mandates, or reporting: None (bill text).
- Taxes or fees: No changes (bill text).
- Administrative or communication spending: Data unavailable.
Proponents' View#
- Raises national awareness of an aggressive, fatal pediatric brain tumor, described as inoperable and incurable, often affecting children ages 5–7 (Preamble).
- Creates a focal point to honour those who have died from diffuse midline glioma (Preamble).
- Seeks to encourage public and private investment in research by increasing awareness (Preamble).
- Aligns Canada with other countries that recognize May 17, which can support coordinated messaging (Preamble).
- Imposes no costs or regulatory burdens, making it straightforward to implement (bill text).
Opponents' View#
- Delivers limited practical impact because it only names a day and does not change services, benefits, or care pathways (bill text).
- Provides no new funding or incentives, so awareness alone may not increase research investment (Preamble notes intent; bill text includes no appropriations).
- Contains no requirements for governments or institutions to run campaigns or collect data; observance is optional (bill text).
- Sets no metrics or reporting to measure whether awareness or investment increases over time (bill text).