Prevention is lacking in ad hoc committee on bullying

NDP MP Dany Morin (Chicoutimi – Le Fjord) welcomes the creation of an anti-cyberbullying working group and is calling on the Conservatives to take concrete action to support his motion for a national bullying prevention strategy.

“It’s encouraging that the provinces are working together to improve the Criminal Code, but without a focus on preventing bullying in the first place, this committee just doesn’t go far enough”, said Morin. “This is a serious issue that is at the breaking point. Our young people are in despair and committing suicide. We need more concrete action.”

In June, Morin tabled a motion for a national bullying prevention strategy. The motion calls for the creation of a special parliamentary committee to: 1) study the different forms of bullying, 2) develop a plan to identify and adopt best practices in anti-bullying, 3) support local organizations already working to prevent bullying and put focus on prevention rather than criminalization.

“Research has shown that countries with national bullying prevention strategies have lower rates of bullying,” said NDP MP Randall Garrison (Esquimalt – Juan de Fuca). “This is a tragic, nationwide problem and all parties need to support this New Democrat motion so we can save lives.”