Doherty introduces private member’s bill on suicide helpline

Conservative MP Todd Doherty carried on the fight for implementation of a 988 suicide helpline Monday, culminating in a private member’s bill on the subject. He began the day by issuing a news release, pointing out it had been 500 days since the House of Commons unanimously passed his resolution calling for a dedicated three-digit number to assist in suicide prevention and mental health crises. He decried the length of time it is taking for the CRTC to implement the deployment. That afternoon in the House, he made a statement highlighting the issue. “Collectively, we gave Canadians struggling with mental health issues hope. Five hundred days later, Canadians still do not have access to a three-digit national suicide prevention hotline,” the British Columbia MP stated. “Mental health organizations, telecom providers and over 400 municipalities from across the country support bringing 988 to Canada. They understand the importance of this initiative. They know it will save lives.” A few minutes later, he took Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett to task during the Question Period. “For 500 days, the minister has had the will of the House, the support of municipalities and the support of telecoms and mental health organizations. She has had the power to bring 988 to Canada, yet she has failed to do so. Why?” Bennett deferred the matter to the CRTC. “As members know, we have asked the CRTC to be expeditious in getting this work done, including for persons with disabilities,” she told the House. “It means we are working to leverage the work that the United States has been doing on this since 2018. This is a complicated issue and we want to make sure that when people call, they are connected to the most appropriate care in the most appropriate manner.” Doherty capped the day by introducing a private member’s bill calling for the establishment of 988 as a part of the Telecommunications Act. The bill would add one sentence to the act. “Suicide impacts us all. There is probably not a member in this House who has not been touched by suicide.” he told Parliamentarians. “I know that suicide and mental health have negatively impacted my life. Just three weeks ago, I received a call saying that I had lost yet another friend to suicide. When somebody is struggling, we must do everything in our power to remove the barriers so that they can seek and get the help that they need.” The Conservatives have been pressing the government on this issue for months. Doherty’s bill now joins the queue of private member’s legislation awaiting debate. –Reporting by Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca and editing by Jenna Cocullo at jcocullo@thewirereport.ca.

Doherty introduces private member’s bill on suicide helpline

News | April 26, 2022

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Doherty introduces private member’s bill on suicide helpline

News | April 26, 2022

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