MPP Gélinas introduces bill to recognize police officers who died by suicide

QUEEN’S PARK — To mark police week, NDP MPP France Gélinas (Nickel Belt) held a press conference on Thursday to introduce her bill to honour police officers who died by suicide as a consequence of being in the line of duty, by including them in highway memorials for fallen officers.

“In September last year I was approached by Amanda Robichaud and her mother in their capacity as members of Beyond the Blue. They explained the group’s focus on supporting police families and working to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and mental injuries,” Gélinas said. “When Amanda described the experience of watching her brother struggle with mental illness due to his experiences on the job we decided to take action to shine a light on the mental health of the people charged with protecting us.”

Gélinas’ bill Highway Memorials for Fallen Police Officers Amendment Act (In Memory of Officers Impacted by Traumatic Events), 2021 changes provincial law to include police officers who died by suicide, in memorials along the King’s Highway.

Gélinas was joined at her press conference by Amanda Robichaud, sister of fallen police officer Christopher Labreche. “Our Law enforcement officers have chosen a career to protect us, putting their lives on the line, but they’re not getting the support they need, internally and externally. This is a historic first step in acknowledging the sacrifice of those who have died because of the line of duty,” Robichaud said.

According to Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, police claims for the Mental Stress Injury program have risen dramatically from 73 claims in 2012 when the program was introduced to 425 in 2019.

“Every one of those numbers represents a brother or sister, a dad or a mum. This change would be a marker for them to say: You matter, we will remember your service, you are valued.” Gélinas said.

Quotes:

Bruce Chapman, President, Police Association of Ontario
“The PAO is supportive of the Private Member’s Bill being put forward by Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas entitled “An Act to amend the Highway Memorials for Fallen Police Officers Act, 2002 in respect of police officers who have taken their own lives as a consequence of being in the line of duty. Countless studies have concluded that first responders, including front-line police personnel, are at a much greater risk of developing PTSD and/or experiencing suicidal thoughts in their lifetime due to their regular exposure to traumatic events. By amending this Act to allow for the option of having those officers who unfortunately felt they could no longer carry on formally recognized and remembered, it will hopefully provide some comfort to the officer’s loved ones and colleagues while also reinforcing the need to break down the stigma surrounding the acknowledgement and acceptance of mental health-related challenges in policing.”

Dilnaz Garda, Board Chairperson, Toronto Beyond the Blue
"This is a monumental step forward for the law enforcement community as it acknowledges the impact that the job can have on the mental health and wellness of the officer. Memorializing those who have died because of the line of duty by suicide is an important part of the grieving process. Surviving families have never been afforded a public opportunity to honour their loved ones legacy of serving their community and for that reason this is a historical first step. Canada Beyond the Blue will always stand behind initiatives like this and support our officers and their families every step of the way."