I am happy to rise in the House today and speak about COPD Awareness Month in November. Early detection of COPD dramatically increases life expectancy and quality of life.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a slowly progressing lung disease that makes it harder to breathe. By 2030, COPD is expected to be the third leading cause of death in Canada and around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I spoke to many general practitioners, family doctors, respirologists, specialists in lung disease and organizations such as COPD Awareness Canada and the lung association of Ontario. After my research, I came to know that many times the patients are not aware that they are suffering from COPD.

COPD is characterized by a narrowing of the airways that makes breathing increasingly difficult as the disease worsens. Everyday, simple tasks that we take for granted—walking up the stairs, getting dressed in the morning, carrying groceries from the car to the front door, doing house chores—can feel debilitating for those with COPD.

In the majority of cases, COPD is diagnosed in people over 40 years old. The most common symptoms include a cough that lasts longer than three months, coughing up mucus, and feeling short of breath while doing routine activities.

Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of COPD and accounts for approximately 80% to 90% of all new cases of COPD, including others.

While COPD is incurable, it is possible to treat and manage. A diagnostic test called a spirometry test can detect the presence of COPD.

In Ontario, approximately 10% of adults—or 900,000 Ontarians, according to the Lung Association—are living with COPD.

Mr. Speaker, my private member’s Bill 157, COPD Awareness Day Act, 2021, received royal assent on June 3, 2021. According to the bill, the third Wednesday in November of each year was proclaimed as COPD Awareness Day.