Hon. Sonia Sidhu is the most recent addition to the UNITE Global Board. In this interview, the recently appointed UNITE Chapter Chair for the North America Region shares her insights and aspirations for the role.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? What motivated you to take on the role of Chapter Chair for North America at UNITE?
Thank you for the opportunity to share a bit about myself and my background. I am Sonia Sidhu, the Member of Parliament for Brampton South, and my journey in public service began when I was first elected on October 19, 2015.
Before entering politics, I dedicated nearly two decades to the healthcare field, which has fuelled my passion for advocating ongoing improvements to our healthcare system. In my role as a Member of Parliament, I have had the privilege of serving on the Standing Committee on Health, where I contributed to shaping policies on Universal Childcare, Dental care, Mental Health, and the COVID-19 response.
Additionally, as the Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, I have worked to empower women and youth by bringing the voices of my city to the committee. One cause that is particularly close to my heart is championing the diabetes community across Canada. As the chair of the All-Party Diabetes Caucus, I have represented Canada internationally, and my Private Members Bill led to the creation of the National Framework for Diabetes, benefiting millions of Canadians.
This week I was pleased to share with @OurCommons the work of @UNITE_MPNetwork - an international parliamentary network that strives to strengthen global public health.
— Sonia Sidhu (@SoniaLiberal) December 7, 2023
UNITE members from around the world collaborate to exchange ideas, share best practices and present solutions. pic.twitter.com/LfFTHhxxij
The motivation behind taking the role of Chapter Chair for North America at UNITE, a parliamentarian network for global health is led by my deep commitment to addressing the challenges of global public health, especially as non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, continue to rise worldwide.
"I strongly believe in the power of collaboration, both within Canada and internationally. Serving as the North American director for UNITE allows me to work alongside parliamentarians from around the world, supporting local and global initiatives to improve healthcare for citizens."
Canada has a proud history of leadership in healthcare, and I am enthusiastic about contributing to efficient and sustainable policies in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Together, parliamentarians can play a crucial role in strengthening public health and making a positive impact on a global scale.
How do you perceive the role of Chapter Chair, especially for North America, a region with a developing membership?
Throughout my work in developing the National Framework for Diabetes in Canada, I have learned to rely on the spirit of collaboration and cooperation in achieving significant progress in our country’s response to this disease. By incorporating best practices from different jurisdictions and respecting diverse realities, we were able to achieve a lot for Canadians through this specific piece of legislation supported unanimously. This is one example of legislators working together to achieve important goals of our citizens and I know that we can do so much more when we work together.
I believe that UNITE provides an excellent platform for North American Parliamentarians of all levels to come together and discuss solutions to important matters in a non-partisan manner. I intend to use my network and experience of working with colleagues to contribute to this work and to raise awareness.
"By working together and respecting the different realities of our regions or jurisdictions of our states and provinces, we can make a real difference in advancing public health policies at local and global level."
What do you see as the major challenges and opportunities for UNITE in North America, and how do you plan to address or leverage them? And how do you intend to tailor UNITE’s actions to the specific needs of the region?
In examining the major challenges and opportunities for UNITE in North America, I recognize that our region faces a unique set of circumstances within the broader context of global health. One significant challenge is the diversity of healthcare systems and policies across North American countries. While there are common goals, the approaches to healthcare can differ. This is why I see a unique opportunity to raise awareness about UNITE as a platform that welcomes these important discussions towards addressing global and local public health issues.
One of the opportunities lies in leveraging this diversity by fostering collaboration and sharing best practices among North American and Global nations.
"UNITE can serve as a platform for parliamentarians in the region to exchange ideas and work towards common goals, such as improving healthcare accessibility, addressing health disparities, and responding to emerging health threats."
 One significant challenge is the diversity of healthcare systems and policies across North American countries. While there are common goals, the approaches to healthcare can differ. This is why I see a unique opportunity to raise awareness about UNITE as a platform that welcomes these important discussions towards addressing global and local public health issues.
One of the opportunities lies in leveraging this diversity by fostering collaboration and sharing best practices among North American and Global nations. UNITE can serve as a platform for parliamentarians in the region to exchange ideas and work towards common goals, such as improving healthcare accessibility, addressing health disparities, and responding to emerging health threats.
To address these challenges and capitalize on the opportunities, I plan to facilitate a collaborative approach within UNITE. This involves creating a forum for open dialogue and information exchange among North American and Global parliamentarians. By understanding the nuances of each country’s healthcare system, we can tailor UNITE‘s actions to align with the specific needs of the North American region.
By working together through UNITE, we can make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of our citizens.
In addition, I will work towards building partnerships with regional organizations, healthcare experts, and relevant stakeholders to ensure that UNITE‘s members are well-supported and effectively address the challenges unique to Canada and North America. By fostering collaboration and understanding, we can turn challenges into opportunities and contribute to the advancement of global health, with a North American perspective.
