More Canadians are experiencing pain than ever before. Each year, more than 11 million Canadians suffer from musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain, headaches, arm or neck strain and diseases of the muscle and joints.  Over the next decade this number is projected to grow to 15 million. According to Health Canada, the annual cost of chronic pain in Canada is over $38 billion in healthcare and lost productivity and is expected to reach $55 billion by 2030. Last year was the worst for opioid-related deaths in Canadian history. For many Canadians, opioid prescriptions are often the first line of treatment for chronic pain despite guideline recommendations suggesting the use of non-pharmacological pain management options. Without action, especially on supporting individuals in addressing chronic pain without opioids, this crisis will continue to grow across the country. For decades, chiropractors have helped millions of Canadians prevent and manage the serious burden of musculoskeletal pain and diseases. Today, over 4.7 million Canadians rely on chiropractors to manage their chronic and acute pain without the use of opioids. Chiropractors are part of the solution in responding to the crisis and moving Canadians away from harmful opioids to manage their pain. The Canadian Pain Task Force (CPTF) was established in 2019 to advise Health Canada on evidence and best practices for the prevention and management of chronic pain. The Task Force recently released its third and final report - An Action Plan for Pain in Canada. The report found that the lack of access to non-opioid options to treat pain is one of several significant factors contributing to this crisis. The report's findings, while not surprising, have again highlighted one of the ways that government can respond to the opioid crisis. Implementing the CPTF Action Plan needs to be a priority for the government as it will enhance the current approach to pain management and reduce healthcare costs. The CCA is calling on the next government to extend the CPTF's mandate by an additional year to allow the Task Force to begin implementing its Action Plan. This would ultimately allow more Canadians to get back to work and actively participate in our economic recovery. By extending the mandate of the CPTF for an additional year, the government can begin to address the opioid crisis head-on by developing an implementation strategy. This will help enhance the current approach to pain management by improving the integration of non-pharmacological treatments and reduce the reliance on opioids in the treatment of pain. It will also support Canada's economic post- pandemic recovery, as the annual cost of chronic pain in healthcare and lost production can be reduced. Implementing the CPTF Action Plan is a vital first step towards reducing government expenditures, supporting economic recovery, and most importantly, saving lives. Alison Dantas is the CEO of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, representing 9,000 licensed chiropractic doctors across Canada. For more information visit: WeveGotYourBack.ca