Nova Scotia and New Brunswick politicians call for federal inquiry into mysterious brain disease

'There are patients on both sides of the border, which makes it clear that the Public Health Agency of Canada should step in'

Politicians on both sides of the border between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are calling for a federal inquiry into a mysterious surge of a brain illness that has gained international attention.

N.S. Independent MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin and N.B. Green Party MLA Megan Mitton, want the Public Health Agency of Canada to step in and lead the investigation into what they’re calling atypical neurodegenerative illness, a disease that was previously thought to be only in New Brunswick.

“There are patients on both sides of the New Brunswick-Nova Scotia border, which makes it clear that the Public Health Agency of Canada should step in and lead the investigation into what is making people in our provinces sick,” Mitton, who is the incumbent candidate for her riding now that a provincial election has been called for Oct. 21, said in a news release.

“This cuts across jurisdictions, and I’m calling for the federal-level resources that were offered in 2021 to be mobilised once again. The data must be collected, environmental testing must be done, and answers must be found for these patients, their families, and our communities.”

In an interview Thursday, she said she’s been asking questions about the “scary” condition since 2021.