CBC/Radio Canada Segment on Fragrance-Free Policies: Why Your Voice Is Needed Again
Many of you will remember how our community mobilized after the publication of Patrick Lagacé’s article in LaPresse mocking Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). You wrote letters, shared your lived experiences, and spoke with clarity and strength.
Because of your collective action, La Presse later published a compassionate, accurate piece highlighting the realities of MCS and the importance of fragrance-free policies.
You can read that article here.
Your voices made that possible.
Today, we are asking for your help once more.
Why This Matters Again
A recent CBC/Radio-Canada segment discussed fragrance-free policies in a way that risks deepening misunderstanding and stigma toward people living with MCS.
While one guest acknowledged the reality of the disability, the overall tone included:
- minimizing comments
- mockery
- misinformation about fragrance-free measures
- dismissive language about people with MCS
This type of discourse has real-world consequences: it fuels discrimination, retaliation, exclusion, and public misunderstanding.
Before we take organizational action, we want to hear directly from you, our members and community, because you are the people most impacted.
Watch the Segment
You can view the clip here:
Segment runs from 1:17:38 to 1:20:02
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwPbnE2dzVk&t=4658s
For English subtitles:
Click the Settings (gear icon) → “Subtitles/CC” → “Auto-translate” → Select “English”
Tell Us What You Think
Before continuing our conversation with CBC/Radio Canada, we are inviting everyone to complete a short survey. Your feedback will determine our next steps, whether that means:
- issuing a public statement
- asking for a corrective segment
- preparing advocacy material
- organizing a coordinated community response
Survey link: https://forms.gle/bfSxtgMYJzZWUrEy7
Your Voice Made a Difference Once. It Can Again.
As we saw with La Presse, your letters and your stories changed the narrative.
Share your reactions and ask for fair, respectful coverage of disability accommodations.
Share your lived experience
Only if you feel comfortable, your stories are powerful.
Advocate for fragrance-free accessibility
These are life-preserving accommodations, not preferences.
Here, we have provided a few contacts and sample letters which you can adapt to express your perspective to your local media outlets.
Email contacts at CBC and Radio Canada for Outreach
Sample Letters (View the sample letters in PDF format)
**Silence allows misinformation to grow.
Your voice makes inclusion possible.**
We look forward to hearing your thoughts and working together on the next steps.
Together, we ensure that people living with MCS are represented with accuracy, dignity, and empathy.