La page Faits saillants du plaidoyer présente les efforts de l’Association canadienne de la fibromyalgie (ACF) pour sensibiliser, influencer les politiques et soutenir les personnes vivant avec la fibromyalgie.

The Advocacy Highlights page reflects the ongoing work of Fibromyalgia Association Canada (FAC) to create meaningful, lasting change for people living with fibromyalgia across the country. In advancing the rights and recognition of people living with fibromyalgia across Canada, FAC hopes to improve the lives of those of us living with fibromyalgia.

Advocacy is not just about raising awareness, it is about turning lived experiences into action, influencing systems, and ensuring that individuals are seen, heard, and supported at every level of care and society.

FAC’s advocacy efforts focus on elevating fibromyalgia as a serious and legitimate health condition within public policy and healthcare decision-making. Too often, people living with fibromyalgia face barriers such as a lack of recognition in disability frameworks, inconsistent access to care, and limited inclusion in national health strategies. FAC is working  to address these gaps by engaging directly with government representatives, contributing to policy discussions, and ensuring fibromyalgia is part of broader conversations on chronic pain and complex conditions.

A central component of FAC’s advocacy is amplifying lived experience to influence decision-makers. By bringing forward real stories, FAC ensures that policies are not created in isolation but are informed by those directly impacted. This includes participating in consultations, submitting policy recommendations, and collaborating with national and provincial stakeholders to push for meaningful, measurable change.

FAC also advocates for equitable access to supports and services. This includes pushing for improvements to disability benefits, workplace accommodations, and income support programs, recognizing that many individuals face challenges maintaining employment due to the unpredictable and episodic nature of fibromyalgia. Advocacy in this area aims to reduce financial insecurity and promote dignity and independence.

Another key priority for FAC is advancing the recognition of fibromyalgia within healthcare systems. FAC calls for standardized approaches to diagnosis and care, improved integration of services, and acknowledgment of fibromyalgia within chronic disease frameworks. This type of advocacy helps ensure that individuals are not left navigating fragmented systems or dismissed due to a lack of understanding.

FAC further strengthens its advocacy impact through partnerships and coalition-building. By working alongside other organizations in the chronic pain and health advocacy space, FAC helps amplify collective voices and increase influence at national levels. These collaborations are critical in driving broader policy shifts and securing attention from decision-makers.

Importantly, advocacy is not only conducted at the organizational level. FAC encourages and supports individuals to engage in advocacy efforts—whether by sharing their experiences, participating in campaigns, or connecting with elected officials. Building a strong, unified voice across the community increases visibility and reinforces the urgency for change.

Through persistent and focused advocacy, FAC is working toward a future where fibromyalgia is fully recognized in policy, prioritized in healthcare planning, and supported through inclusive and equitable systems. Each advocacy effort brings us closer to a landscape where individuals living with fibromyalgia are not only acknowledged but meaningfully supported in all aspects of life.

If you are a member of FAC and are interested in joining the Advocacy and Awareness Committee please go here. https://fibrocanada.ca/en/volunteer-with-fac

The Awareness & Advocacy Committee meets every troisième jeudi du mois de 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm EST


PURPOSE:

• Sensibiliser au fait que la fibromyalgie est une maladie chronique qui altère la vie
• to increase interests, compassion, and public support for fibromyalgia research, education, and advocacy
• to address and reduce stigmas and stereotypes and to influence changes in attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs toward fibromyalgia
• to effect change by stimulating self-mobilization, empowerment, and action among people with fibromyalgia
• to improve and ensure that the quality of life of persons with fibromyalgia is in accordance with Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• to unite Canadians and Canadian residents with fibromyalgia to improve their quality of life according to Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms (CCRF)
• to promote and safeguard the right of persons with fibromyalgia
• to influence decisions within political, economic, medical, and social institutions
• to build a stronger, respected voice within a fibromyalgia community

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The primary responsibilities of the Committee are to:

• spread information about the disabling symptoms and effects of fibromyalgia
• launch national awareness campaigns on fibromyalgia
• develop social media campaigns in collaboration with other committees
• reach out and collaborate with national and local fibromyalgia-related community support agencies in Canada, to invite opportunities to work together to increase awareness
• connect with marginalized and vulnerable communities in Canada such as veterans, Indigenous communities, youth and young adults, and
• identify the most economical end effective platforms to optimize community engagement in awareness raising on fibromyalgia
• ensure our community outreach efforts are inclusive of all Canadians and Canadian residents living with fibromyalgia, regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, mental/physical ability, sexual orientation, residency, marital status, or citizenship (CCRF);
• collaborer avec les organisations, associations, fondations et groupes de soutien liés à la fibromyalgie afin qu'ensemble nous renforcions notre voix unie pour combler les lacunes et les besoins ; et
• Networking to establish relationships with:
  • Ministères et fonctionnaires des gouvernements fédéral et provinciaux;
  • Professionnels de la santé et de la médecine;
  • Associations professionnelles des secteurs médical, de la santé et des assurances

in order to address issues, myths, biases, and stigmas about fibromyalgia.

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