Bill 117 2001

An Act to proclaim
Congenital Heart Defects
Awareness Day

Preamble

Congenital heart defects or disease is a birth-related defect and consists of 35 different types of heart defects.

Congenital heart defects are the leading birth-related defect that causes death. They affect 82,800 persons of the age of 18 years or less in Canada. That amounts to more than one of every 100 children born in Canada each year, with Ontario having the highest per capita rate in Canada. In addition, there are approximately 12,000 adults in Canada currently receiving follow-up cardiac care. The number of complex cases requiring that care is expected to double by the year 2006.

Deaths related to congenital heart defects are caused by late detection, a scarcity of donor hearts and the failure to make timely medical intervention. More research is required in order to discover further surgical options and to describe accurately the origin, physical signs and symptoms of congenital heart defects.

The people of Ontario wish to officially recognize the need for awareness of congenital heart defects so that prevention, early diagnosis and intervention become a top priority.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Day

1. February 14 in each year is proclaimed as Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Day.

Commencement

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

Short title

3. The short title of this Act is the Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Day Act, 2001.

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims February 14 in each year as Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Day.