Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty's private member's bill on post-traumatic stress disorder passed unanimously at second reading Wednesday in the House of Commons and will now be studied by an all-party committee.
The first reading of the bill took place in February. Because time ran out, debate was continued in the House on Monday. Time ran out again before the vote could be taken, prompting the Wednesday vote.
"Thank you to all parliamentary colleagues who today joined together in the fight against #PTSD," Doherty posted on his Twitter account.
In response, fellow MPs Mel Arnold and Blake Richards offered praise and congratulations.
The bill calls for the formation a national framework to assist Canadians with PTSD, with focus on first responders.
"This bill sends a message to our silent sentinels that this is not a battle that you have to fight by yourself," said Doherty in the House on Monday. "It's up to all of us - federal, provincial, territorial legislators - to come up with a plan to make sure that no one is left behind."
