An MP has held true to his word in moving forward in calling for the development of a national framework to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Cariboo Prince George Conservative MP Todd Doherty introduced a private members bill in the House of Commons on Thursday.
He says it’s something he has been working on for the last year and that it’s an issue that hits closes to home for him as he has a number of friends who are veterans and police officers.
“So when you see these issues and you see and experience human tragedy, it sticks with you and I think what we’re seeing more and more of is we’re just now understanding what the term PTSD means and some of the issues surrounding it.”
Doherty says although there are a lot of groups doing some incredible work to address PTSD, there is no national strategy.
“I had a lady reach out to me late last night thanking me for taking the privilege and actually stepping forward in doing this. She is the mother of a veteran, she is the wife a firefighter and a daughter of a firefighter and she applauded me for doing this.”
As for what’s next on getting Bill C-211 to be adopted by Government, Doherty says a lot of work remains to be done.
“So my job from in between now and then is to work with the colleagues that have supported me, work with industries, and the groups, the organizations that this Bill will impact to make sure that we have the information so that when we do get the opportunity to bring this forward again and debate the Bill in the House, we’ve got the support so that it does pass unanimously.”