moved for leave to introduce Bill C-314, an act respecting the provision of compensation to public safety officers who lost their lives while on duty.
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured and pleased together with the hon. member for Mississauga East to introduce this bill to the House today, to establish a registered charitable trust fund for the benefit of families of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
The fund will be administered by an independent board and will be set up to receive such money as appropriated to it by Parliament, or a legislature of a province, or as received by gift or bequest.
Canadians are aware of the daily risks that face our police and firefighters as they serve our emergent needs. When one of them loses their life in the line of duty, all of us mourn that loss. This fund would be a tangible way for Canadians to honour their courageous service and to assist their loved ones in their time of need.
I therefore hope my bill will have the strong support of all hon. members.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)