Health Canada’s actions regarding the consideration of the Canadian Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and the World Health Organization to update their guidelines and continuing education materials regarding the diagnosis and treatment of electromagnetic hypersensitivity to ensure they are based on the latest scientific evidence and reflect the symptoms of affected Canadians

Petition: 481

Issue(s): Compliance and enforcement; Human/environmental health; Science and technology

Petitioner(s): A Canadian organization

Petitioner location(s): Peterborough, Ontario

Date received: 14 March 2023

Status: Completed—Response(s) to petition

Summary: The petition draws attention to the 2015 parliamentary report from the Standing Committee on Health, Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation and the Health of Canadians, and references statements by the Minister of Health in the government response that was tabled in Parliament on 6 October 2016.

According to the petition, recommendation 4 of the report states that the Canadian Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and the World Health Organization should consider updating their guidelines and continuing education materials regarding the diagnosis and treatment of electromagnetic hypersensitivity to ensure that they are based on the latest scientific evidence and reflect the symptoms of affected Canadians. The petition indicates that Health Canada shared the committee’s report as recommended with the 4 previously mentioned organizations with the Canadian Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and the World Health Organization for their consideration, and it asks what further communications have occurred after the report was shared. The petition further asks whether Health Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada have taken any additional measures regarding recommendation 4 since June 2015 and what other measures will be taken in the future.

The petition refers to 2 conferences that were held to educate doctors and other professionals about illnesses and injuries associated with electromagnetic fields, and it inquires about the role that Health Canada played in sharing this information with medical bodies.

The petition alleges that since June 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases has included diagnostic codes related to electromagnetic hypersensitivity. The petition questions whether Canadian medical authorities have been informed of these additions and which codes have been recommended by Health Canada.

Federal departments/organizations responsible for reply: Health Canada; Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada