Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is International Pink Day, otherwise known as Pink Shirt Day. I'd like to share with this House some background information from the days' organizers. The International Day of Pink was started in Nova Scotia when two straight high school students saw a gay student wearing a pink shirt being bullied. The two students intervened, but wanted to do more to prevent homophobic and transphobic bullying. They decided to purchase pink shirts, and a few days later got everyone at school to arrive wearing pink, standing in solidarity. The result was an entire school that took a stand and began working together to prevent homophobic and transphobic bullying. The campaign has continued to grow. It’s now an international campaign that thrives in schools, workplaces, communities, and in this Assembly. The Day of Pink, and the conversations, awareness, and acceptance that stems from it, are making a real difference in the lives of queer and trans youth. Canada has the ninth highest rate of bullying in the 13-year-old category on a scale of 35 countries. At least one in three adolescent students in Canada have reported being bullying recently. Most alarming is the fact that any participation in bullying increases the rate of suicide in youths, and we all know that is a significant challenge here in the Northwest Territories and in other northern jurisdictions.
Earlier today, students from across Yellowknife came to participate in an anti-bullying demonstration and spoke very passionately and clearly on the issues that they face in their schools. It was very endearing to witness that and to be a part of it, and I want to applause their presence in this House, doing their part to raise awareness on this issue, but taking a stand against bullying needs more than wearing a pink shirt. We need to be leaders in our community and we need to do our part to stop bullying. Celebrate diversity and take real action to make safer schools and safer communities a reality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
