Let's push forward with `Kindness Week'

Legislation could boost Rabbi Bulka's vision, writes Sen. Jim Munson

In the summer of 2017, Rabbi Reuven Bulka, the founder of Kind Canada, bounced into my Centre Block office for a meeting about kindness. I wasn't sure what to expect but I agreed to the meeting because kindness was a theme that already ran through my advocacy work on children's rights and with the disability community, particularly Special Olympics Canada. I'm always looking for allies.

My meeting with the rabbi was as comfortable as meeting a good friend for coffee. We shared a passion for inclusion. I was excited to learn about Kindness

Week and his vision to bring it across the country. Since 2007, an initiative promoting kindness during the third week of February was happening right here in Ottawa, and somehow I missed it. I wasn't going to miss this opportunity to help it grow.

In February 2018, I introduced An Act respecting Kindness Week in the Senate. For a Senate Public Bill, it moved quickly through the first two readings and on to our Senate Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee. As the architect of Kindness Week, Rabbi Bulka presented to the committee. His testimony was heartfelt, optimistic and convincing.

“This bill, if passed, as I fervently hope it will be, can potentially raise the Canadian consciousness of the importance of kindness, and the ensuing commitment thereto, to levels that will make our great country even greater and make a large dent in some of the critical issues we face, including mental health, the cost of health care and bullying, among others,” Rabbi Bulka said.

Several Senate colleagues generously contributed to the debates in the Senate chamber. They spoke of kindness-inspired activities happening in little pockets across the country. People shouldn't need a reason to help each other but it was clear from their remarks that kindness campaigns encourage people to act. If we could connect all these initiatives together to inspire more, imagine the benefits for Canadians.

I knew we were on to something important. Kindness Week was a great idea and senators saw the potential. We unanimously agreed to third reading of the bill by mid-December, 2018. But then, it sat on the long list of private members' bills at the House of Commons. It never received first reading before Parliament dissolved in September 2019.

The third week of February is almost upon us and I have reintroduced An Act respecting Kindness Week. I hope this time, in honour of Rabbi Bulka, we can go all the way. The words of the bill haven't changed since 2018, but our country is different now. The pandemic has changed our lives in drastic ways, and we need kindness more than ever.

This time is different, too, because the rabbi is fighting for his life. As we learned earlier this year, he's been diagnosed with advancedstage cancer in his pancreas and liver. In January, a virtual prayer rally was held for “Canada's rabbi,” a title that's become familiar because of his spiritual leadership to all of us regardless of faith. With attendees from all regions of Canada, all faiths, and all political stripes, the vigil was proof of what a bridge-builder the rabbi is for our communities. In his remarks, former governor general David Johnston shared a new designation for my friend as a “champion of inclusivity'.” He certainly is.

Rabbi Bulka has gifted us with his time and presence. He was still thinking of others as he delivered the final prayer of the rally — wishing us health, friendship, caring and kindness. I hope we can return the courtesy by supporting and passing Kindness Week swiftly through Parliament so that Rabbi Bulka can see his vision realized.

Ontario Sen. Jim Munson serves as deputy chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration. He is a vocal advocate for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. Want to know more about An Act respecting Kindness Week? Email jim. munson@sen.parl.gc.ca. What will you do to be kind this week?