Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to move my motion that the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage examine the role of Sports Canada and amateur sports associations in addressing the rising incidence rates of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries in amateur and youth athletics.
By way of bringing forward this motion, we do, within this committee, have the twin roles of culture and sports programs. We have not tended to look at them because it hasn't come up. I think many Canadians are concerned about the rising level of injuries. There is certainly a perception, whether it's true or not, that Mr. Bettman and the NHL have not shown leadership on this.
When I'm in my riding, what I'm hearing from people is the concern on how it's affecting amateur sports. What do we need to know about this? What steps are being taken? I think we could look at this in a thorough but also a positive role and say, let's hear from the experts. Let's see what we're doing to make sure that for hockey, and for other sports as well, if they're involved, when young people go out to play, they're going out to play and have fun and not to get hurt. If there need to be steps taken to ensure that, then that is I think within the purview of this committee.