Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank you and all my colleagues in the House for the pinkness yesterday. Anything we as Members can do to raise awareness of bullying is a good thing.
There was significant activity in the Great Hall at noon yesterday. Some 120 students from four Yellowknife schools were here for an anti-bullying
event sponsored by the northern chapter of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. Thank you to Jack Bourassa, Lorraine Hewlett, Mark Populous and other PSAC staff for once again organizing this event, and a huge thank you to the students and teachers from William McDonald, Weledeh, St. Joseph’s and J.H. Sissons schools for taking part in the event. Not like the flash mob that we had a couple of years ago, but well worth seeing and hearing.
Ecole St. Joseph’s School did a skit about bullying and introduced us to the Anti-Bully League. William McDonald School brought two classes. The grade sevens shared their thoughts and comments on bullying. The grade sixes shared personal stories about bullying. J.H. Sissons School spoke en Francais and asked questions to make us think about bullying. They also did a skit to illustrate bullying and an intervention. Weledeh School brought their Think Pink Gang. They added members to the gang by inducting three people at the rally. It was my honour and privilege to be one of those three who were inducted into the Pink Shirt Gang as an honorary member, along with Steve Daniels from Education, Culture and Employment and Constable Maury Sparvier of the RCMP.
Bullying gets more awareness than it used to, but it’s still a major problem in our schools, our workplaces, our sports arenas, our playgrounds and our seniors homes. As the kids said yesterday, more than once, it’s up to each one of us, no matter our age, to fight against bullying when we see it. Recognize it, speak about it, stop it.
Mr. Speaker, we as leaders must ensure we don’t model the slightest action that could be conceived as bullying. Think before you speak or act, and remember that each of us reacts differently to words or actions. We must not assume that what is okay for us is not bullying for someone else.
In closing I want to again thank the wonderful, creative, committed students who highlighted bullying yesterday and also thank the Public Service Alliance of Canada for organizing the event. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.