Federal Advocacy

What is the National Strategy for Eye Care (C-284 Act)?

In June 2022, the Honorable MP Judy Sgro (Humber River - Black Creek) introduced Bill C-284: An Act to establish a national strategy for eye care. The bill aims to improve eye care and invest in vision research to address preventable blindness.

The bill received the Royal Assent on November 7, 2024.

View our key goals for Bill C-284: An Act to establish a national strategy for eye care (CAO Infographic)

CAO's Submission to Health Canada

The CAO sent in a C-284 submission to Health Canada regarding the development of a National Strategy for Eye Care. We engaged in consultations with provincial optometry associations across the country to gather insights on funding, education, integration in primary care, research capacity, and systemic challenges. Our recommendations include:

• Strengthening training, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure all health professionals understand and leverage optometry’s role in primary eye care.
• Establishing a national vision health surveillance and data system to support evidence-based planning, research, and innovation.
• Enhancing federal-provincial-territorial knowledge sharing and coordinated implementation of the national strategy.
• Reducing regulatory barriers for ophthalmic drugs and devices to improve timely access to new technologies.
• Addressing health inequities, particularly for Indigenous communities, by improving program design, funding models, and culturally safe access to vision care.
• Investing in national public awareness and education initiatives to promote eye health, early detection, and regular comprehensive eye exams.