A motion that Airdrie-Banff, MP Blake Richards has been working on for a while received unanimous support in the House of Commons last Friday (June 8).

Motion 110 was a non-partisan private member’s motion which will see the Standing Committee on Human Resources study the impact on parents who have lost an infant child through stillbirth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), or other complications, and suggest recommendations to the government to improve the level of support for grieving parents. 

Richards shares democracy worked the way it was supposed to work this time. Although originally disappointed the Liberal government spoke against the motion, he was happy the Liberal's changed their tune and listened to all the support it had from coast to coast. "Thousands of people had signed petitions they reached out and let their MPs and Liberal MPs in other parts of the country know they felt it was wrong and unacceptable; they were demanding the government show support and people spoke and in this case, the government listened. "

A huge victory for families who have already suffered an unbelievable loss, Richards was thrilled with the outcome and thanked all those that gave support. "I know many of them worked so hard for this and I can honestly say it wouldn't have happened without that support, hard work and the courage of people sharing their own personal stories so MPs understood the impact of this. Those efforts changed the minds of some people and we are now going to see the opportunity for these families and parents to get the kind of support and compassion they deserve from the government. It's a huge victory and one all these people should be proud of."

Numerous messages of thanks from across the country have been flooding MP Richards social media sites and inbox; adding families are not only excited but asking how they can help keep the momentum going "It just shows why this was successful; the perseverance of these people to make a difference for others is something that amazes me."

Richards anticipates in early fall we will know when the study will take place but shares the committee only has 6 months to bring forth a report with recommended suggestions. "It would be December that it is due, by the latest. The government would then have a couple months to come up with a response to that, so early next year; we'll have a pretty good sense as the committee starts to study what their proposals will be but we're moving ahead full steam."

It is not a common occurrence to get a private member's bill passed and Richards is now in an elite group. "I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity twice now and that is something I am pretty gratified by. The fact that I have been able to make a difference, particularly in this case. The stories I have heard from these parent advocates and the courage they have; it's heartbreaking to hear some of the stories and imagine the courage it must take them to share over and over again, and all for the purpose of trying to help others."

Even though it took some time to move from first being tabled in late 2016 until now, it is well on its way and for Richards, this is what his job is all about. "It's making a difference in the lives of Canadians and that is what has happened here. It warms my heart to be able to say I was a part of making a difference."

Blake will once again show his support at the 2nd annual 'Vaughn's Memorial Colour Run' slated to occur on Sunday, September 2nd. "It's for people like the Sawchuk's why we did this. It's once again the courage they showed out of a tragic circumstance they faced, and then take it and turn it around and try to do something positive in Vaughn's memory by making a difference for others. When you see that kind of courage and dedication...how could you not do something to try and help?!"

If you would like to be kept up-to-date on Motion 110 and the committee updates, you are encouraged to follow HERE. 

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MP Richards Feels the Loss of a Child Should Be Supported