OTTAWA, April 9, 2014 – The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, today issued the following statement to highlight the International Day of Pink:
“Each year, the second Wednesday of April marks the International Day of Pink, commemorating the occasion when two students in Nova Scotia, witnessing the bullying of a gay student wearing a pink shirt, decided to step in to help him. They then wanted to do more to help people who were being bullied, and embarked on a movement to encourage students to wear pink shirts in a show of solidarity against bullying.
The International Day of Pink is a day for people around the world to stand together to support diversity and end discrimination and bullying. Each year, millions of people wear pink to show that together, we can make a positive difference.
Bullying, including cyberbullying, affects many young Canadians across the country and has, in some cases, led to tragic consequences. Our Government has made it clear that we will not tolerate any form of bullying, and have taken strong action to enhance the safety and well-being of individuals and communities through education, prevention and enforcement activities.
This includes the national anti-cyberbullying public awareness campaign, StopHatingOnline, to share information on the impacts of cyberbullying, including potential criminal consequences, how to prevent it, and how to report it when it happens. We have also introduced legislation that would make the non-consensual distribution of images a criminal offence.
We encourage Canadians to learn more about bullying and cyberbullying, and to speak out against it. This Government is protecting Canadians by standing up for victims and tackling bullying.”
Follow Public Safety Canada (@Safety_Canada) and GetCyberSafe (@getcybersafe) on Twitter, and like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/GetCyberSafe).
Information:
Jason Tamming
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and
Emergency Preparedness
613-991-2924
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
media@ps-sp.gc.ca
