Funding of research through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research into testing, diagnosis and treatment of electromagnetic hypersensitivity and the possible impacts on health in the workplace

Petition: 474

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

Petitioner(s): A Canadian resident

Petitioner location(s): Richmond Hill, Ontario

Date received: 7 December 2022

Status: Completed—Response(s) to petition received

Summary: This petition draws attention to the 2015 report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health entitled Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation and the Health of Canadians. The questions in the petition specifically relate to the Minister of Health’s response to the report’s Recommendation 3. This recommendation concerns the Government of Canada’s support of research in areas related to electromagnetic frequency and health through the investigator-initiated research programs of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The recommendation also concerns the government’s encouragement of scientists interested in conducting further research studies in this area to make use of the CIHR’s funding opportunities.

The petition requests information on the study of electromagnetic hypersensitivity testing, diagnosis, and treatment and of the possible impact of electromagnetic hypersensitivity on health in the workplace. The petition inquires whether scientists have been encouraged to conduct these types of studies, particularly on the impact of electromagnetic hypersensitivity on the health of those who directly affect public safety. It further asks about the amount of funding that was provided for these studies.

The petition raises questions on funding requests submitted to the CIHR, specifically on the number of requests received from 2015 to 2022, the number of requests approved, and the amounts of funding requested and paid out to the applicants. The petition seeks information on the number of approved active funded projects that the CIHR has open related to electromagnetic hypersensitivity and its impact on health in the workplace. The petition asks whether any corporate-backed research and studies on electromagnetic hypersensitivity have been funded or plan to be funded in the future.

Federal departments/organizations responsible for reply: Health Canada