WATCH: NDP Health critic Libby Davies and thalidomide survivor Mercedes Benegbi react to the unanimous vote in Ottawa to support thalidomide victims.
OTTAWA – Health Minister Rona Ambrose says the federal government is eager to work with thalidomide victims to ensure they’re properly supported.
Ambrose met today with representatives from the Thalidomide Victims Association of Canada.
In a statement, she says all Canadians empathize with the pain and suffering thalidomide survivors have endured since the 1960s.
READ MORE: Calgary thalidomide survivor wants compensation from Ottawa
She adds that it’s clear their health needs have changed and they require ongoing support, but she is not announcing anything specific in terms of a government action plan or financial support.
Thalidomide victims have called for more financial support from Ottawa. All the victims were born to mothers who took the government-approved drug in the 1950s and 60s without knowing of its disastrous side-effects.
The meeting comes the same day as the House of Commons is voted unanimously in favour of an NDP motion of support for the victims.
“Today’s meeting was a step forward in building a partnership to find a solution,” Ambrose says in her statement.
“Our government is committed to working with the Thalidomide Victims Association of Canada to determine how we can best support their health needs going forward.”
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