Advocate
We rely on a network of passionate volunteer advocates to help Canada’s decision-makers understand the impact of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and what actions need to be taken to improve the lives of those living with this disease.
Breakthrough T1D works to ensure that Canada’s decision-makers understand the impact of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and what actions need to be taken to improve the lives of those living with this disease. We do this by:
- Connecting the T1D community with their government representatives
- Educating policymakers on what life is like living with T1D
- Consolidating political support
We rely on a network of passionate volunteer advocates to support ongoing efforts to give voice to the most pressing issues facing the T1D community. Help us put T1D on the government agenda by actively participating in the legislative decision-making process.
There are two ways you can get involved:
There are two ways you can get involved:
Volunteer as an advocate – By volunteering to be an advocate, you will have the opportunity to be a part of meetings with elected officials, events and lobby days hosted by Breakthrough T1D to raise awareness about T1D.
Online actions – You can advocate on behalf of Breakthrough T1D and the T1D Community by using your voice through online actions. Currently active online campaigns:
Quebec (Coming soon)
Access for All timeline
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February 2019
Launch of Campaign
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November 2020
Government of Canada and Breakthrough T1D Canada (then JDRF) announce new research funding to accelerate stem cell-based therapies for T1D
Investment of $6 million through the CIHR-Breakthrough T1D Partnership to Defeat Diabetes for two Canadian research teams to accelerate the development of stem cell-based therapies for the treatment of T1D.
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April 2021
Saskatchewan announces coverage for CGM and Flash GM, expands coverage for insulin pumps
In the budget announced Tuesday on April 6th, Saskatchewan commits to creating a new program which will cover the costs of CGM and Flash GMs up to age 18 and expand the Saskatchewan Insulin Pump Program to all ages.
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April 2021
Manitoba announces coverage for CGM and expands coverage for insulin pumps
Manitoba announces that it will begin covering CGM up to age 25 and will expand coverage under the Manitoba Pediatric Insulin Pump Program by changing the age limit on eligibility from under 18 to under 25.
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June 2021
British Columbia announces coverage for CGM
British Columbia introduces coverage for Dexcom CGM estimated to benefit 20,000 British Columbians.
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February 2022
Alberta announces coverage for CGM
Alberta announces coverage for CGM for people with T1D under the age of 18.
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March 2022
Ontario announces coverage for CGM
Ontario announces CGM coverage under the Assistive Devices Program.
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May 2022
Prince Edward Island announces coverage for CGM
Prince Edward Island announces CGM coverage under the Diabetes Glucose Sensor Program.
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June 2022
Government of Canada approves $30M joint funding for T1D Research
Through the Breakthrough T1D-CIHR Partnership to Defeat Diabetes, this joint funding of $30M supports additional cutting-edge T1D projects that will address areas of shared strategic interest including general population screening for T1D risk, precision medicine for T1D, and novel interventions that address mental health in people with T1D.
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June 2022
All Canadians with type 1 diabetes qualifies for the Federal Disability Tax Credit
Since 2017, Breakthrough T1D (then JDRF) has been actively seeking change in the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) when a controversial new tax directive introduced by the Canada Revenue Agency made it virtually impossible for adults with T1D to qualify for the DTC.
While the Government of Canada rescinded this interpretation, individuals were still being denied due to the arbitrary and antiquated eligibility criteria, namely, the 14-hour requirement.
In May 2022, MP Jake Stewart introduced an amendment at the Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) that would make automatic qualification a reality for everyone living with type 1 diabetes. Members of FINA across all party lines voted unanimously to pass the amendment.
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October 2022
Government of Canada tables the National Diabetes Framework
On February 27, 2020, MP Sonia Sidhu introduced the National Framework for Diabetes Act (Bill C-237), which required the Minister of Health, in consultation with stakeholders, to develop a framework designed to support improved access to diabetes prevention and treatment to ensure better health outcomes for Canadians.
The Act received Royal Assent on June 29, 2021, and in marking the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, the Government of Canada committed $35 million in research and a national framework for diabetes through Budget 2021.
The Framework of Diabetes in Canada:
requires the Minister of Health — in consultation with representatives of the provincial and territorial governments responsible for health, Indigenous groups, and other relevant stakeholders — to develop a national framework designed to support improved access to diabetes prevention and treatment to ensure better health outcomes for Canadians;
requires the Minister of Health to prepare a report setting out the Framework within one year of the Act coming into force as well as a report in Parliament within five years on the effectiveness of the Framework, and on the current state of diabetes prevention and treatment; and
aims to provide a common policy direction to address diabetes in Canada, and lays the foundation for collaborative and complementary action by all sectors of society.
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March 2023
Manitoba becomes the first province in Canada to completely remove the age restriction allowing for FULL coverage for CGM, Flash GM, and insulin pumps
The Government of Manitoba invests $120 million in the Manitoba Pharmacare program in part to expand coverage of diabetes devices like insulin pumps and glucose monitors, benefiting an estimated 6,800 people living with T1D in the province.
Prior to this investment, coverage for pumps in Manitoba stopped at age 18 and coverage for advanced glucose monitors stopped at age 25.
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March 2023
New Brunswick expands access to insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors
The Government of New Brunswick invests $2.1 million to improve access to diabetes devices.
Age cap removed from the provincial insulin pump program and introduced coverage for CGM for all ages who meet medical eligibility and meet the income-testing process.
Prior to this announcement, insulin pump coverage in New Brunswick did not extend beyond age 25 and there was no public coverage for advanced glucose monitors.
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August 2023
British Columbia announces coverage for Flash GM
The Government of British Columbia introduces coverage for the FreeStyle Libre, a Flash GM device, through BC PharmaCare as a limited-coverage benefit, and benefitting an estimated 34,000 people living with T1D in the province.
Prior to this announcement, public coverage in British Columbia was limited to only the Dexcom G6 CGM.
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October 2023
Newfoundland and Labrador launch one-year pilot project providing coverage for CGM
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and NL Health Services begins a one-year pilot project to determine the feasibility of a provincial CGM program.
The pilot project provides coverage for CGM to eligible pediatric patients under the age of 18 living with T1D.
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February 2024
Nova Scotia announces FULL coverage for advanced glucose monitoring, expands coverage for insulin pumps
The Government of Nova Scotia invests $5.9 million to fund sensor-based glucose monitoring supplies, and $1.3 million to expand the Nova Scotia Insulin Pump Program by removing the current age cap.
Prior to this investment, the Nova Scotia Insulin Pump Program was only available to Nova Scotians under the age of 26 and did not provide coverage for glucose monitors.
With this announcement of universal coverage for both insulin pumps and advanced glucose monitors, this investment will help about 4,000 patients cover supplies and about 450 more Nova Scotians will be eligible for the Nova Scotia Insulin Pump Program.
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February 2024
Government of Canada introduces first phase of national universal pharmacare, includes diabetes medications
Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare (Pharmacare Act), is introduced which describes the Government of Canada’s intent to work with provinces and territories to provide universal, single-payer coverage for several contraception and diabetes medications.
The Minister of Health also announced the government’s plan to establish a fund to support Canadians’ access to supplies required to manage and monitor diabetes and administer medication, such as syringes and glucose test strips.
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March 2024
Newfoundland and Labrador expands access to continuous glucose monitoring program
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador invests $1.8 million through Budget 2024 to expand CGM access to include those living with T1D up to the age of 25 who are enrolled in the NL Insulin Pump Program and those who are pregnant with gestational diabetes.
Prior to this investment, only patients under the age of 18 living with T1D and followed by the Pediatric Diabetes Program at the Janeway Hospital were eligible for CGM devices under the province’s one-year pilot project.