Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker, today is Pink Shirt Day, a day when we take a moment to pause and reflect on how we treat one another.
Pink Shirt Day began in 2007 in Nova Scotia. After a male student was harassed for wearing a pink shirt, teenagers David Shepherd and Travis Price organized an antibullying protest in which they handed out pink shirts to the students in their school. Fifteen years later, Pink Shirt Day has become a global calltoaction as schools, communities and workplaces are flooded with pink in solidarity against bullying.
This year's national theme continues as Lift Each Other Up. It encourages us to support people, embracing their cultures, identities, and true selves by reminding us all to demonstrate greater acceptance, inclusion, and respect for everyone. I am happy to see so much pink around the House today, as we stand together on Pink Shirt Day.
We all share the responsibility to ensure our schools and communities are safe spaces where bullying is prevented wherever possible, and addressed quickly when it does occur. Bullying is a complex issue that affects people of all ages in all settings, including schools, workplaces, and online. The effects of bullying can last a lifetime, causing fear, withdrawal, social distress, and severe physical and psychological harm.
During these long days, the second winter of the pandemic, we may be challenged at times to find the strength to lift each other up. The impact of COVID19 on our collective and individual mental health is real. This strain affects students, teachers, parents, families and community members alike, as we adjust and readjust to the ongoing changes required to ensure our communities and schools are safe spaces. Yet, simple kindness, acceptance, and compassion for ourselves and others can make a real difference to the people around us.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment works closely with the Department of Health and Social Services to ensure counselling is available in every school and community.
Madam Speaker, throughout the pandemic, we have heard a simple message be kind. When we see bullying, we need to speak up. And when we are being a bully, we must reflect on our actions and seek out ways to do better.
We are all role models, whatever role we play in our communities, and our youth look to us to set an example, so today and every day let us celebrate all the things that make us unique, let us be kind to one another, and let us lift each other up. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
