moved for leave to introduce Bill C-297, An Act respecting a National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be reintroducing this legislation. The bill would create a national suicide prevention strategy.
After I tabled the bill in the last Parliament it received the support of many organizations, municipalities and individuals across the country.
Suicide is an issue that touches every region of this country. The facts are clear. Over 3,500 Canadians, or 10 people per day, die by suicide each year. We need a coordinated strategy so that folks around the country working to prevent suicide are united in a concerted effort to ensure that our communities are no longer rocked by the loss of friends and family members.
I would like to congratulate the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention on its work.
A national strategy is needed to address the higher risks of suicide faced by queer youth, Canada's elderly, teens and young adults, first nations, Inuit, and people in remote communities.
I would encourage all parties to work together to establish a national suicide prevention strategy, because we have a responsibility to help prevent suicides.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)