All parties should support PTSD bill

On Oct. 4, the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security released a report calling on the Liberal government to introduce a plan of action for public safety officers and first responders dealing with mental-health issues and posttraumatic stress disorder.

According to the all-party committee study, between 10 and 35 per cent of first responders will develop PTSD at some point in their lives. These numbers are significant, and action needs to be taken immediately to help address an issue that affects Canadians from coast-tocoast-to-coast.

Last January, I introduced private member’s Bill C-211, which seeks to establish a national, comprehensive federal framework to address the challenges of recognizing the symptoms and providing timely diagnosis and treatment of PTSD for all veterans and first responders.

Since introducing Bill C-211, my office has been inundated with calls and emails from firefighters, first responders, military personnel and corrections and police officers.

These brave men and women face many dangers in their day-to-day duties, including protecting the lives and property of their fellow citizens and our nation’s critical infrastructure. They are our silent sentinels.

Only through bipartisan support and co-operation can we hope to achieve effective and viable strategies to ensure those in need receive direct and timely access to PTSD support.

I hope that all members will join me in supporting Bill C-211 when it comes to the floor of the House of Commons.