News Room: News Releases
M388 Passes Unanimously!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 4:00 pm
A non-partisan triumph M388 passes unanimously. (Ottawa) - Harold Albrecht's Private Members' Motion, M388, passed the House of Commons tonight without opposition - 230 votes for, and none against.
"This was for Nadia," said Albrecht, MP for Kitchener-Conestoga, referring to the tragic death of Nadia Kajouji, whose suicide was encouraged over the internet by a serial predator posing as a kindred spirit and helpful friend.
"Spending as much time as we do in Ottawa, with the young staff we all have - every MP was familiar with, and horrified by Nadia's story," said Albrecht. "To many of us, this was a non-partisan victory on a common-sense issue."
Rory Butler, Founder and CEO of Your Life Counts (www.yourlifecounts.org), a suicide-prevention organization focusing on youth issues, was happy with the results.
"We made sure our networks knew of Harold's motion and we encouraged support," said Butler, "We provide quality support to depressed or otherwise vulnerable youth via the internet. I also understand how valuable a tool or dangerous a weapon the internet can be."
M388 has passed the House of Commons, the debate isn't over.
"This is a great first step," noted Albrecht, "but still it is only the first step." It falls on Cabinet to determine if and how to take the advice of the House. "But tonight, the House of Commons demonstrated it would hold broad support for any effort by our government to target internet predators. I hope clarifications to the Criminal Code will occur hand-in-hand with other elements of a national suicide prevention strategy."
Watch the video of Harold thanking the House for its support
For more information please contact:
David Drewe, Assistant to Harold Albrecht, MP
Kitchener-Conestoga
519.498.3633
Rory Butler, Founder & CEO
Your Life Counts
rbutler@yourlifecounts.org
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