For Immediate Release
November 2, 2005

Baird pleased CHEO to house provincial newborn screening centre

(Ottawa) - John Baird, MPP (Nepean-Carleton) has been helping to champion the expansion of newborn screening in this province through the Ontario Legislature since June 2004. Mr. Baird introduced a Private Member's Bill, Bill 101 Health Insurance Amendment Act (Supplemental Newborn Screening), 2005 over one year ago. Through committee hearings and public awareness, the Bill has successfully helped to motivate the government to expand newborn screening in Ontario.

Mr. Baird is pleased that the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) is being recognized as the provincial centre in newborn screening. Mr. Baird has been very supportive of CHEO's decision to compete for the provincial newborn screening facility.

Today, Mr. Baird commends the Minister of Health for finally recognizing CHEO's research excellence in the field of newborn screening. "Dr. Geraghty and his team at CHEO have done an exceptional job in working to expand the science behind newborn screening," said Baird. "I am pleased that CHEO's leadership in this field has finally been recognized by this government, making CHEO a provincial centre for excellence in newborn screening."

Baird has been working on the issue of newborn screening with local Nepean-Carleton constituent Tammy Clark, whose nine-month-old daughter Jenna passed away as the result of an undetected metabolic disorder that could have been prevented had she been screened for the genetic disorder at birth.

Mr. Baird's Private Member's Bill 101 continues to move forward with further committee hearings scheduled for later this month. "I am committed to seeing newborn screening enshrined in provincial law to protect children and their families from unnecessary disability and suffering," said Baird.

Further information:
Office of John Baird, MPP
(613) 828-2020