STATEMENT BY SALMA ZAHID, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR SCARBOROUGH CENTRE February 20, 2018 – “I would like to share with my constituents in Scarborough Centre that I have begun a medical leave to seek treatment for a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After returning home from an overseas visit over the holidays, I suffered from intermittent pain for several weeks. After returning home from Ottawa on February 8^th, the pain worsened over the weekend and I visited a medical clinic. This led to testing and several hospital visits over the last week that confirmed a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I am under the care of Dr. Neil Berinstein, a practicing Medical Oncologist at the Odette-Sunnybrook Cancer Centre in Toronto, and will begin an intensive course of chemotherapy today. Following this first round of treatment, the prognosis and treatment plan will become clearer. I am determined to fight this diagnosis, and to continue my work in service of the people of Scarborough Centre as soon as I am medically able to do so. By coincidence, the last time I spoke in the House of Commons was during question period on February 5^th, regarding World Cancer Day. Canada has some of the best doctors, nurses and medical professionals in the world, and is doing world-leading research in this field. I am grateful for the care I have and will receive. During my leave, my Scarborough and Ottawa office teams will continue to provide assistance and support to the people of Scarborough Centre. I would like to thank all of you in advance for your support and understanding, and I ask that my privacy and the privacy of my family be respected as the treatment begins. My team will provide updates as new information becomes available. Thank you.”