moved that Bill S-233, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assault against persons who provide health services and first responders), be read the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to introduce Bill S-233, an act to amend the Criminal Code for assault against persons who provide health services and first responders. I would be remiss if I did not thank my hon. colleague from Oshawa for seconding this bill and also my great friend and colleague from Barrie South—Innisfil, who was a firefighter for over 30 years.
Our brave men and women put on their uniforms every day to serve our communities. They run toward danger. They run into burning buildings. They run toward bullets. They hold our hand as we take our last breath. Whether they are a nurse, a firefighter, a paramedic or correctional officer, they are facing unprecedented levels of violence against them. How far we have fallen where it is okay to attack a nurse as she takes our temperature. How far we have fallen where it is okay to attack a paramedic as he administers first aid.
Bill S-233 has the exact language as my bill, Bill C-321, which passed unanimously in the House and unanimously in the Senate but fell off the Order Paper due to the dissolution of Parliament. I am honoured to stand here today. I am hoping that all parties, all colleagues, can come together and give unanimous consent at some point to get Bill S-233 passed at all stages. It could be law today. The safety and security of our firefighters, paramedics, first responders and health care workers depend on it.
(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)