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Lymphedema patients in Canada rely on imported medical compression garments—new tariffs will make them unaffordable. Help us demand an exemption!

The Canadian Lymphedema Framework (CLF) and the undersigned call on the Government of Canada to immediately exempt medical compression garments from any retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports.

These garments are essential medical devices, not discretionary textile goods, and without them, thousands of Canadians living with lymphedema will face the risk of serious health complications such as life-threatening infections and costly hospital admissions due to inadequate treatment options.

What’s happening?

In response to new U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports, the Government of Canada announced a 25% tariff on a list of American goods—including textiles. However, medical compression garments, which are used to treat lymphedema, fall under this broad textile classification (e.g., tariff code 6115). The government may not realize that these garments are prescribed, medically necessary, and unavailable from Canadian manufacturers.

Why does this matter?

• Lymphedema is a chronic condition affecting 1-in-33 Canadians that leads to severe swelling, infections, and serious complications if not managed properly.
• Compression garments are the most critical component of the only effective, medically recognized treatment—but they are already unaffordable for many patients and largely uncovered by public or private insurance.
• There are no Canadian manufacturers of these garments. Canadians have no alternative but to import them.
• This tariff will make these essential medical supplies unaffordable for thousands of patients, forcing many to go without necessary treatment.
• Higher rates of unmanaged lymphedema will lead to increased hospitalizations, putting additional strain on Canada’s already overwhelmed healthcare system.

What we are asking for:

We urge Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc to:
✅ Recognize medical compression garments as essential medical devices rather than textiles.
✅ Grant an immediate and permanent exemption for these items from the 25% tariff on U.S. imports.
✅ Work with patient advocacy groups and industry stakeholders to ensure affordability and accessibility of these critical medical supplies.

Lymphedema patients should not become unintended casualties of a trade dispute. Please sign this petition to demand urgent action from the Canadian government before this tariff goes into effect!

📢 Sign and share widely! Let’s make our voices heard to protect access to life-saving medical supplies in Canada.

Key decision makers in government to contact in addition to signing this petition:

1. The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister; pm@pm.gc.ca
2. The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Finance; dominic.leblanc@parl.gc.ca
3. The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Health; kamal.khera@parl.gc.ca
4. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs; melanie.joly@parl.gc.ca
5. The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry; francois-philippe.champagne@parl.gc.ca

This is a collaborative petition by the Canadian Lymphedema Framework together with:

• BC Lymphedema Association
• Alberta Lymphedema Association
• Lymphedema Association of Saskatchewan
• Lymphedema Association of Manitoba
• Lymphedema Association of Ontario
• L'Association Québécoise Du Lymphoedème
• Lymphedema Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Lymphedema Association of Nova Scotia

📢 Sign and share widely! Let’s make our voices heard to protect access to life-saving medical supplies in Canada.

Signing the petition does not require making a donation. Donations made on this platform ARE NOT GIVEN TO THE CLF. To support the CLF or your Provincial Lymphedema Association, please visit CanadaHelps.org and search for lymphedema organizations.  HERE IS A LINK.