Debates of June 3, 2013 (day 29)
QUESTION 286-17(4): PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS REMEMBRANCE DAY IN CANADA
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up to my Member’s statement today, I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services what would be involved in proclaiming a day of recognition for families who have lost children that were yet unborn, children that are born stillbirth and children that are lost to sudden infant death syndrome. What would be involved in our government when we declare a day as a day of remembrance or a day to recognize something like this? What’s involved? Thank you.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu.
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I am no expert in this area, but I notice that over the last couple of years a lot of the days that are dedicated to things such as this were started off by interest groups. So my first recommendation would be that if there’s an interest group that wants to discuss this with our department, that would be a good place to start.
I’m not aware whether there is an actual developed and formed territorial organization as yet, but I’m sure that even by bringing the awareness to this in the House today there could very well be responses to this. We would be following suit of other jurisdictions in Canada, such as New Brunswick, which I mentioned, which have already taken the lead to do this. I don’t think it’s something that would be costly to the government and I’m not exactly sure how the proclamation of certain days is undertaken, but I would certainly encourage anybody who shares an interest in this topic of remembering young people, young lives that have been lost, and remembering family members, if they could communicate that to us I’m sure that we could get a formal presentation and request to the Minister. Thank you.
Also, once the information is in, I think the next process we’ll have to look at is maybe a motion from the Member from the House to look at designating such a day. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.