Bill C-700

2nd Session, 41st Parliament,

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

house of commons of canada

BILL C-700

An Act to establish National Perinatal Bereavement Awareness Day

Whereas each year in Canada, thousands of families are affected by perinatal bereavement;

Whereas perinatal death, considered one of the most stressful events that can occur in adult life, has a significant impact on the parents’ psychological and physical health and can even lead to the breakup of their relationship;

Whereas those close to the bereaved parents often do not know what to say or do and feel powerless in the face of the parents’ distress, which can contribute to the latter’s isolation;

Whereas it is important that the Parliament of Canada make the Canadian public aware of perinatal bereavement in order to help those affected by it;

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

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1. This Act may be cited as the National Perinatal Bereavement Awareness Day Act.

NATIONAL PERINATAL BEREAVEMENT AWARENESS DAY

2. Throughout Canada, in each and every year, October 15 is to be known as “National Perinatal Bereavement Awareness Day.”

3. For greater certainty, National Perinatal Bereavement Awareness Day is not a legal holiday or a non-juridical day.