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Bill 58, Endometriosis Awareness Month Act, 2021

Stiles, Marit

Royal Assent received. Statutes of Ontario 2021,

chapter 41

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Debates

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Original

Bill 58 Original (PDF)

EXPLANATORY

NOTE

This Explanatory Note was written as a reader’s

aid to Bill 58 and does not form part of the law.

Bill 58 has been enacted as

Chapter 41 of the Statutes of Ontario, 2021.

The

Bill proclaims March in each year as Endometriosis Awareness Month.

Bill 58 2021

Act to proclaim March as Endometriosis Awareness Month

Preamble

Endometriosis

is a common condition experienced by 1 in 10 women, trans and non-binary

menstruators of reproductive age. The disease can cause debilitating

conditions, including chronic pelvic pain, and is sometimes associated with

infertility. Many suffer silently for years without a diagnosis, enduring

extreme pain, nausea and other symptoms. Due to the stigma and shame associated

with menstruation and the lack of knowledge and education around what

constitutes a “normal” period, many sufferers never seek help or, if they do,

find their concerns dismissed.

Endometriosis

is an inflammatory disease process characterized by the growth of abnormal

tissue, similar to that which lines the uterus, outside of the uterus in the

pelvic cavity. Endometriosis leads to the formation of lesions, cysts, nodules

and other abnormal tissue growths.

The misplaced tissue responds in the same way

that the tissue in the uterus does during the menstrual cycle , and symptoms can

become exacerbated during menstruation. While menstrual blood leaves the body

during menstruation, the blood and tissue resulting from endometriosis have

nowhere to go. This process results in inflammation and scarring, causing

painful symptoms and contributing to infertility.

There

is no cause yet known for the disease, and diagnostics and treatment can often

be severely delayed from the onset of symptoms. In many cases, menstruators can

go up to eight years or longer without a diagnosis. Endometriosis can be

treated through medical and surgical interventions, but long surgery wait times

can cause further delays in treatment.

Research

shows that youth with endometriosis symptoms are more likely to miss one or

more days of school per month, causing them to fall behind in their studies and

leading to adverse effects on their grades and self-confidence. For adults with

endometriosis, this can translate to a loss of 10 hours of productivity per

week. It is estimated that endometriosis costs the Canadian economy $1.8

billion per year.

The

month of March is recognized as Endometriosis Awareness Month. Increasing

public awareness of endometriosis is imperative as many menstruators spend

years unaware their symptoms are abnormal. Delays in diagnosis and treatment

can negatively impact education, work and quality of life for those with

endometriosis. Proclaiming the month of March Endometriosis Awareness Month in

Ontario provides an opportunity to educate the public about this common yet

misunderstood disease and to encourage conversations and education around what

is a “normal” period.

Therefore,

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of

the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Endometriosis

Awareness Month

The

Month of March in each year is proclaimed as Endometriosis Awareness Month.

Commencement

This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short

title

The

short title of this Act is the Endometriosis Awareness

Month Act, 2021 .

Bill 58 Original (PDF)

EXPLANATORY

NOTE

The

Bill proclaims March in each year as Endometriosis Awareness Month.

Bill 58 2021

Act to proclaim March as Endometriosis Awareness Month

Preamble

Endometriosis

is a common condition experienced by 1 in 10 women, trans and non-binary

menstruators of reproductive age. The disease can cause debilitating

conditions, including chronic pelvic pain, and is sometimes associated with

infertility. Many suffer silently for years without a diagnosis, enduring

extreme pain, nausea and other symptoms. Due to the stigma and shame associated

with menstruation and the lack of knowledge and education around what

constitutes a “normal” period, many sufferers never seek help or, if they do,

find their concerns dismissed.

Endometriosis

is an inflammatory disease process characterized by the growth of abnormal

tissue, similar to that which lines the uterus, outside of the uterus in the

pelvic cavity. Endometriosis leads to the formation of lesions, cysts, nodules

and other abnormal tissue growths.

The misplaced tissue responds in the same way

that the tissue in the uterus does during the menstrual cycle , and symptoms can

become exacerbated during menstruation. While menstrual blood leaves the body

during menstruation, the blood and tissue resulting from endometriosis have

nowhere to go. This process results in inflammation and scarring, causing

painful symptoms and contributing to infertility.

There

is no cause yet known for the disease, and diagnostics and treatment can often

be severely delayed from the onset of symptoms. In many cases, menstruators can

go up to eight years or longer without a diagnosis. Endometriosis can be

treated through medical and surgical interventions, but long surgery wait times

can cause further delays in treatment.

Research

shows that youth with endometriosis symptoms are more likely to miss one or

more days of school per month, causing them to fall behind in their studies and

leading to adverse effects on their grades and self-confidence. For adults with

endometriosis, this can translate to a loss of 10 hours of productivity per

week. It is estimated that endometriosis costs the Canadian economy $1.8

billion per year.

The

month of March is recognized as Endometriosis Awareness Month. Increasing

public awareness of endometriosis is imperative as many menstruators spend

years unaware their symptoms are abnormal. Delays in diagnosis and treatment

can negatively impact education, work and quality of life for those with

endometriosis. Proclaiming the month of March Endometriosis Awareness Month in

Ontario provides an opportunity to educate the public about this common yet

misunderstood disease and to encourage conversations and education around what

is a “normal” period.

Therefore,

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of

the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Endometriosis

Awareness Month

The

Month of March in each year is proclaimed as Endometriosis Awareness Month.

Commencement

This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short

title

The

short title of this Act is the Endometriosis Awareness

Month Act, 2021 .

Date Bill stage Event Outcome Committee

December 9, 2021

Royal Assent

Royal Assent received

December 9, 2021

Third Reading

Vote

Carried

December 9, 2021

Third Reading

Debated

December 8, 2021

Second Reading

Ordered for Third Reading

December 8, 2021

Second Reading

Reported without amendment

December 7, 2021

Second Reading

Consideration of a Bill

Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills

December 6, 2021

Second Reading

Motion to arrange proceedings

December 1, 2021

Second Reading

Ordered referred to Standing Committee

Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills

December 1, 2021

Second Reading

Vote

Carried

December 1, 2021

Second Reading

Debated

December 1, 2021

First Reading

Motion to arrange proceedings

November 30, 2021

First Reading

Vote

Carried

Debates and Progress

First Reading

November 30, 2021

Committee

Second Reading

December 1, 2021

Ms. Marit Stiles, Mrs. Robin Martin, Ms. Suze Morrison

Declared carried. Referred to the Standing Cmmittee on Regulations and Private Bills.

Motion to Arrange Proceedings

December 6, 2021

Declared carried.

Committee

Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills

December 7, 2021

December 8, 2021

Reported to the House without amendment. Ordered for third reading.

Third Reading

December 9, 2021

Ms. Marit Stiles, Ms. Natalia Kusendova, Ms. Jill Andrew, Ms. Suze Morrison

Declared carried.

Royal Assent

Thursday, December 9, 2021

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