Nearly 4,000 Canadians are currently living with ALS – a progressive and terminal disease that affects people in every province and territory.
That’s why federal leadership is urgently needed to change the trajectory of ALS in Canada. The All-Party Parliamentary ALS Caucus serves as a non-partisan vehicle to champion the priorities of the ALS community in Parliament. The ALS Caucus is a non-partisan forum of Parliamentarians—including both Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators—who come together with a shared commitment to advancing the priorities of the ALS community. Unlike formal Parliamentary Committees, which are established by the House of Commons or Senate with defined mandates and memberships, caucuses are voluntarily created by MPs or Senators who are passionate about a particular issue. Examples of federal caucuses include the All-Party Cancer Caucus and the Caregiving Caucus. Parliamentarians may join a caucus at any time.
The work of the Caucus is informed by the ALS Society of Canada and the broader Canadian ALS community, who are regularly invited to Caucus meetings. These insights help guide Parliamentarians in their understanding of ALS and equip them to be champions within government. With bold federal leadership and investment from the federal government and a unified, comprehensive national ALS strategy, we can accelerate progress towards a world free of ALS.
Today, The ALS Caucus is chaired by MP Peter Fragiskatos (London Centre) and MP Marie-Hélène Gaudreau (Laurentides – Labelle). MP Fragiskatos is a longtime attendee of the ALS Canada Walk to End ALS London, Ontario and became a strong supporter of the ALS Community through his connection to his constituent, Matthew Brown who was diagnosed with ALS in 2022. MP Gaudreau’s commitment to the ALS Caucus is rooted in her experience as a caregiver to her father, who lived with ALS for 20 years. Their joint leadership and understanding of the impact of this disease has brought renewed purpose and focus to the ALS Caucus.
The ALS Caucus was formed in 2016 following the passing of MP Mauril Bélanger, a respected Member of Parliament who was diagnosed with ALS in 2015 and passed away in 2016. Through his commitment to becoming a champion for the ALS community, MP Bélanger inspired his colleagues across party lines to carry forward his legacy and led to the creation of the Caucus.
The inaugural ALS Caucus meeting was convened on October 6, 2016, co-chaired by:
- MP Francis Drouin (Glengarry — Prescott — Russell), Liberal
- MP Todd Doherty (Cariboo – Prince George), Conservative
- MP Marie-Hélène Gaudreau (Laurentides – Labelle), Bloc
- MP Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona), New Democratic Party
The ALS Caucus plays a pivotal role in championing the priorities of the ALS community within government. Through its efforts, the Caucus has significantly raised awareness about ALS and the challenges faced by Canadians impacted by ALS. The ALS Caucus has also deepened understanding of the drug access landscape and highlighted the urgent need for timely and equitable access to therapies. With its cross-party support and influence, the ALS Caucus is uniquely positioned to elevate the voices and priorities of the ALS community to Parliamentarians and key decision-makers.
Key activities have included:
- Shortly after its formation, ALS Caucus members had the opportunity to travel with ALS Canada CEO Tammy Moore to visit ALS clinics across the country. These visits were instrumental in connecting Parliamentarians directly with people living with ALS, clinicians, and researchers across the country—deepening their understanding of the realities of ALS, and ALS care and research in Canada.
- In 2016, the Honourable Judy Sgro introduced Motion 105 in the House of Commons, urging the federal government to take a leadership role in the fight against ALS. The motion called for the federal government to collaborate with provincial and territorial governments to advance ALS research and awareness, increase federal funding for ALS research, and work to develop a national ALS strategy. This motion was unanimously passed by the government in 2016. However, motions are symbolic, and the government is not required to act on motions. Nevertheless, Motion 105 and the call for increased investment in ALS research continues to resonate today.
- On March 11, 2021, all members of the ALS Caucus supported an e-petition presented in the House of Commons initiated by Norman MacIsaac, ALS Canada Community Ambassador. The petition was signed by over 25,000 Canadians and called on the federal government to launch a pilot project aimed at streamlining access to Health Canada-approved ALS treatments.
Your invitation to your local MP can make a difference. Use our letter-writing tool to ask your MP to attend the next ALS Caucus meeting and show support for the ALS community.
June 17, 2025
ALS Canada participated in the first All-Party ALS Caucus Meeting of 2025. Alongside ALS Canada Community Ambassador Norman MacIsaac, ALS Canada briefed the members on the current ALS research landscape, presented the pre-budget submission on the Canadian Collaboration to Cure ALS, and discussed how Parliamentarians can play a pivotal role in advancing progress.
Attendees included:
- Peter Fragiskatos, MP, London North Centre (Chair)
- Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, MP, Laurentides—Labelle (Co-Chair)
- Judy Sgro, MP, Humber River—Black Creek
- Annie Koutrakis, MP, Vimy
- Zoe Royer, MP, Port Moody—Coquitlam
- Maggie Chi, MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Don Valley North
