At the Canadian Pain Society 2019 Annual Scientific Meeting, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, announced the establishment of the Canadian Pain Task Force. The eight-member Task Force includes advocates who have lived experience with chronic pain, as well as researchers and health providers who have experience preventing and managing pain. Five of the eight members also have ties to the Chronic Pain Network – four of which are members of the Network’s governance.
In addition to the Task Force itself, an External Advisory Panel was formed to provide advice and information on certain elements of the Task Force’s mandate. The Chronic Pain Network’s own scientific director, Dr. Norm Buckley was asked and has accepted a position on the Panel. Dr. Christine Chambers, a member of the Network’s Knowledge Translation committee, has also accepted a position on the External Advisory Panel.
The Panel has already met with the Task Force once and looks forward to continuing to provide valuable input to help address this issue.