Ottawa, ON – Canada is one step closer to creating a national framework for sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder.

This as a bill brought forward by Cariboo-Prince George Conservative MP Todd Doherty – Bill C-211 – passed third reading in the House of Commons today. It will now go to the Senate for review.

If given Royal Assent in the Senate, the bill would ensure consistent care and diagnosis of PTSD for first responders, veterans, and military personnel from coast-to-coast.

Doherty reminded his colleagues during debate that time is of the essence when it comes to ensuring the bill is passed into law.

“Mr. Speaker, just last week we saw four first responders across Canada commit suicide and within the past 48 hours, we’ve had a firefighter from Ottawa and a paramedic from Pickering commit suicide, “he said.

“It’s hard not to get emotional when talking about this because it is an incredibly heavy burden collectively in this House but we have created hope.”

The bill received unanimous support with NDP MP Brian Masse (Windsor West) commenting “this is the most important piece of legislation to enter the House in the past 15 years.”