Bill C-294 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (suicide prevention)

This bill was last introduced in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session, which ended in August 2021.

Sponsor

Todd Doherty  Conservative

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Outside the Order of Precedence (a private member's bill that hasn't yet won the draw that determines which private member's bills can be debated), as of May 7, 2021
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament often publishes better independent summaries.

This enactment amends the Telecommunications Act to require the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to designate a three-digit phone number dedicated to suicide-prevention services.‍

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

HealthOral Questions

June 10th, 2021 / 2:50 p.m.
See context

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Speaker, it has been 181 days since we passed this motion, 181 days of inaction. Every 24 hours, 11 Canadians die by suicide. A further 275 attempt it. Using those numbers, in the 181 days nearly 2,000 Canadians have died by suicide. A further 50,000 have attempted suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death of young children in Canada.

Will the Liberal government commit to passing my bill, Bill C-294, today and help save lives, finally take action and finally bring 988 to Canada, yes or no?

Telecommunications ActRoutine Proceedings

May 7th, 2021 / 12:15 p.m.
See context

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-294, An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (suicide prevention).

Mr. Speaker, 147 days ago, the House of Commons unanimously passed my motion supporting a new national three-digit suicide-prevention number. It has been 147 days, and every 24 hours, 11 Canadians take their own life and another 275 attempt to end their life. Using these stats, since passing the motion we have lost 1,617 Canadians to suicide, and over 40,000 Canadians have attempted to end their life. These are the attempts and deaths that we know of. So many more go unreported.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young Canadians. These statistics are staggering. What is even more worrisome is that the statistics are from before COVID.

My private member's bill is very simple. It would add one clause to the Telecommunications Act to ensure that a new three-digit suicide-prevention number is implemented and accessible to all Canadians within one year of passage.

We are facing a mental health crisis never before seen. We have the power to save lives, to leave a legacy of action and to show those who are suffering that we are fighting for them. Let us all bring 988 to Canada.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)