Bill proposes National Day of Awareness for people abused by clergy, lay officials and institutions




I tabled the following Private Members' Bill in the House of Commons today (June 2nd).

I rise today in the House to table a Private Members’ Bill calling on the Government of Canada to establish a National Day of Awareness for people who have been abused by clergy, lay officials and institutions in Canada.

A National Day of Awareness would be a step on the path towards healing.

By shining a light on the abuse, promoting awareness and education, decreasing stigma and addressing the harm that has occurred by clergy, lay officials and institutions as a whole we can start to move forward.

This Bill proposes that June 1st be set aside as the National Day of Awareness because it is the beginning of National Aboriginal History Month in Canada and the day the Roman Catholic Church in Newfoundland and Labrador closed Mount Cashel Orphanage for good.

By setting aside a national day, Canadians can engage in their communities to work together to ensure that this never happens again.

I call on all Members in the House to support this bill.

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