Statement by the Official Opposition on Anti-Bullying Day

NDP MP Dany Morin (Chicoutimi – Le Fjord) made the following statement on Anti-Bullying Day:

“The entire NDP team and I join all proudly pink-clad Canadians today in raising awareness about bullying.

“The pink shirt movement, first established in 2007 by two Nova Scotia teenagers to support a student being bullied at their school, has gained real momentum over the last few years due to the very present danger that this issue poses.

“Many Canadians experience bullying on a daily basis and one out of every three teenagers is victimized by bullying at school, while 40% of Canadians experience bullying in the workplace according to government statistics.

“The damage caused by intimidating behaviour, often in the form of homophobia, racism, religious bigotry and sexism, is now acknowledged for having potentially fatal consequences.

“Concerted and essential efforts to implement anti-bullying measures are now coming to fruition. We believe that the government needs to play a leading role in the fight against bullying and adopt a national anti-bullying strategy.”