Honourable senators, I rise to draw our attention to the importance of neglected tropical diseases, or NTDs.

Today, we have welcomed to our chamber national and global leaders who are working tirelessly to rid the world of the scourge of these treatable illnesses. I would like to acknowledge the work of my friends and colleagues Senator Boehm and Senator Ravalia on this very important issue.

NTDs are 21 illnesses and conditions that affect one in eight of the most vulnerable people living in the world today. People with NTDs suffer from permanent disability, stigma, loss of household income and social exclusion. Many of these diseases are not new but are known from antiquity with well-documented evidence of their devastating impact.

Globally, there has been a concerted effort to control and eliminate NTDs. Through the largest public-private partnerships in the history of global public health, medicines are made available for distribution in affected countries through the World Health Organization. For every dollar invested in NTD programs, $26 of donated drugs is procured. Billions of treatments have been distributed over the last 20 years.

These efforts have resulted in great gains. Now, 56 countries have eliminated at least one NTD. However, recent cuts in international assistance funding have put these gains at risk. Because of these cuts, over 140 million people may not be able to receive the treatment they need this year alone.

Under the current President of the United States, or POTUS, administration, the long-standing compassion and care for the global most vulnerable have been shattered. With this flight from doing what is right, other countries will need to step up to fill the breach. We must stay the course. Canada and other like-minded nations must step up to address the challenges of NTDs.

Can we do it? Yes, we can.

In January 2022, I stood before this chamber and asked that Canada work through the Pan American Health Organization, or PAHO, to fund the elimination of blinding trachoma in the region of the Americas. Colleagues, that happened.

In 2023, a $15-million Canadian investment in trachoma elimination — the most substantial remaining commitment for NTDs within PAHO — was made. I am proud of what Canada stepped up to do then, and I know that we must do more now.

Today, we have an opportunity to show global leadership in the fight against NTDs. Let us not stop this race within metres of the finish line. What’s the prize? It’s global health security and a better future for millions of our brothers and sisters. And for us, it’s the satisfaction of a needed job well done.