Bill 234–The Drug-Related Death Bereavement Day Act

On Wednesday June 1, I spoke in the Manitoba Legislature at third reading on Bill 234 which makes the first Sunday in May Drug-Related Death Bereavement Day.

Bill 234–The Drug-Related Death Bereavement Day Act

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, I rise to support this bill. It is a significant bill and I think helps us not only to help those who have lost loved ones with a day that is set aside specifically to remember those who are gone. But it is also, I think, is important in that it will provide a day that will bring more attention to the need for better action to end the tragedies of Manitobans who are dying from overdoses.

It has been terrible, what has happened in the last few years, the increases [in deaths from overdoses], and hopefully someday we will reach a time when we will eliminate these terrible tragedies and be able to much better prevent overdose deaths. I look forward to being part of a movement which will bring in changes, which will drastically reduce and hopefully completely end these tragedies which result in so much loss of life and so much loss of potential and so much grief for so many loved ones.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Comparison between Manitoba and South Dakota shows dramatic impact of Physical Distancing

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The Gerrard Report

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