Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards has his fingers crossed but is confident his non-partisan private member's bill will receive the blessing of parliamentarians when it's debated today (June 8) in the House of Commons.  

Richards said he and many other people have worked hard on Motion 110, which calls for a parliamentary committee study on the impact on parents suffering from pregnancy and infant loss, since it was first debated in the House back on April 27th.

"There have been people all across the country that have supported this motion and they've reached out and let their MPs know that they don't think that excuses are acceptable.  I really feel that feedback I've gotten from MPs and certainly conversations with the Minister that's responsible for this area, the Minister for Families and Children, that I may have been able to, with the help of a lot of people across the country convinced the Liberals to support this motion.  I'm very hopeful that we may actually be able to make a difference for these families."

Richards was discouraged, following first debate of the motion, when a Liberal Parliamentary Secretary stood in the Commons and gave what Richards said were excuses for not supporting the bill.  Now he said the support of family advocates may have made the difference.

"We've had great support.  People have been reaching out to their MPs and just encouraging them to support the motion and it seems to be working.  I really believe we're on the cusp of making a real difference for these families due to the support of people across the country.  Things like this don't happen without people reaching out and trying to make a difference and that's what's happened here."

Richards said the vote on the motion could happen today but also could take place next week.  

 

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