Steps are being taken to improve support for bereaved parents, following support for a motion put forward by Banff-Airdrie Conservative MP Blake Richards. Richards earned unanimous support for Motion 110 in the House of Commons last week - a non-partisan motion that will direct the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities to study and deliver a report on the effects of pregnancy and infant loss on grieving parents. "We do this job to make a difference ... this is a huge first step," said an elated Richards, who began working after learning the personal stories of members of his constituency who were faced with the financial hardship of losing parental benefits immediately after facing the loss of an infant. Currently, 35-week long parental leave benefits end as soon as an infant dies. Richards feels this places unfair stress on families. His colleagues agreed. The committee is to complete a study and deliver a report to the government by the end of the year. By early 2019, recommendations on how and what supports should be delivered will be given. Richards commends the courageous families who have candidly shared their painful stories. "That's democracy in action. When the people speak and they speak loudly enough, the government listens." Vocal supporters of Richards' motion include the Cormier family out of Airdrie, who lost their infant daughter, Quinn, to SIDS in late 2014, as well as the Sawchuk family in Cochrane, who lost infant son Vaughn, to a heart condition. Both families continue to raise funds for other families faced with similar hardships - the Cormiers with Quinn's Legacy Run, which raises money for families who suffer loss through SIDS and the Sawchuks through the Vaughn Sawchuk Foundation, which raises dollars for pediatric cardiac care. This was the second debate for Motion 110 in the House of Commons. Richards was met with Liberal opposition in late April when the motion was first presented. Initially, the Liberal parliamentary secretary asserted the government would not support the motion on the merit that it felt adequate supports were already in place through the Employment Insurance system. He was pleased to see the sides work together to come to an agreement and pass the bill last week. Learn more at blakerichards.ca.
