Mr. Speaker, as my hon. colleague just noted, today would have been the 15th birthday of Daron Richardson, daughter of Ottawa Senators' assistant coach Luke Richardson and his wife Stephanie.
Tragically, in November of 2010, Daron took her own life and the Richardsons, like too many Canadian families, are dealing with the anguish of losing a child. Mental illness can affect anyone at any age. Encouraging awareness of mental health and suicide prevention is thus an issue that rightly crosses party lines.
I am asking that all members of Parliament take part in the first annual Do It for Daron Purple Pledge Day in support of the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health. Please join me in acknowledging the extraordinary courage of the Richardson family as it inspires difficult conversations to combat the stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness.