Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty is taking a conciliatory approach in response to an NDP MP's private member's that strikes a close resemblance to his own.
New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian's Bill C-345 seeks to achieve the same aims as Doherty's Bill C-321, namely to add protections to the Criminal Code for first responders, such as firefighters and paramedics.
Julian's bill was introduced in the House of Commons on June 19. Doherty's bill, in contrast, was introduced in March and on June 21 - two days after Julian's bill was tabled - Doherty had hoped to gain the House's unanimous consent to advance his bill straight to third reading and skip the committee stage.
When that didn't happen, he expressed frustration with the outcome.
On Wednesday, Julian hosted a media event at a fire hall in New Westminster to showcase his proposal. Asked for comment, Doherty took steps to avoid turning the matter into a political football.
"There’s been a consistent uprising in violence against first responders, health-care professionals and nurses," the Conservative MP said in a statement provided to the Citizen on Friday. "Bullying, abuse, racial or sexual harassment, and physical assault should never and can never be considered just part of the job. These workers care for us at our most vulnerable, and I think we have a responsibility to care for them in return.
"We need to send a message that violence is unacceptable! Peter’s bill compliments my Bill C-321 and will provide extra protections for those who protect us."
Doherty's bill would revise the Criminal Code to consider an assault against first responders or health-care personnel as an aggravating circumstance during the sentencing of the perpetrator of the assault.
Julian's would see "first responder" added to sections of the Criminal Code that list as a specific offence various types assaults of peace officers, like police officers, sheriffs and prison guards..
It would also result in an automatic charge of first degree murder in cases where an assault of an on-duty first responder, firefighter or paramedic leads to their death.
However, unlike Doherty's bill, Julian's does not cover health care professionals, such as nurses and doctors.
With files from Theresa McManus, Glacier Media
