Bill C-643

2nd Session, 41st Parliament,

62-63-64 Elizabeth II, 2013-2014-2015

house of commons of canada

BILL C-643

An Act to establish National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day

Whereas in 2013, in Canada, approximately 86,000 people and their families were affected by spinal cord injuries, and some 4,300 new cases are added each year;

Whereas spinal cord injuries impose, in addition to the physical and psychosocial suffering of the injured, a heavy financial burden, estimated at $2.67 billion a year;

Whereas it is important to make the public, stakeholders and employers aware of the reality of those with spinal cord injuries, because their return to active living requires extraordinary efforts and they must be encouraged in tangible ways;

Whereas it is important to recognize the courage and determination of those with spinal cord injuries, as well as the dedication of their caregivers and the perseverance of the scientists whose research has improved the lives of hundreds of people with spinal cord injuries;

Whereas a national spinal cord injury awareness day would serve as a tool to prevent spinal cord injuries, would raise public awareness regarding such injuries and would benefit those with spinal cord injuries;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

SHORT TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day Act.

NATIONAL SPINAL CORD INJURY AWARENESS DAY

2. Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the third Friday of September is to be known as “National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day”.

3. For greater certainty, National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day is not a legal holiday or a non-juridical day.