moved for leave to introduce Bill C-398, an act respecting education benefits for spouses and children of certain deceased federal enforcement officers.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to introduce a private member's bill entitled an act respecting education benefits for spouses and children of certain deceased federal enforcement officers.
This initiative was originally the vision of a former member of the House, Janko Peric of Cambridge, Ontario. Mr. Peric introduced this bill during the last Parliament and I hope we will see him back in the House to continue his fight for public safety initiatives.
The bill would provide for educational benefits of a financial nature to the surviving spouse and children of federal enforcement officers who die from injuries received or illnesses contracted in the discharge of their duties.
The bill mirrors legislation that currently exists in the province of Ontario. In light of the tragic deaths of four RCMP officers in Mayerthorpe, Alberta earlier this year, I would hope that colleagues from all sides of the House will lend their support to this worthy initiative. We owe the families of those who risk their lives for the safety of all Canadians.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)