Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty’s Bill to Protect First Responders Fails to Obtain Unanimous Consent, Moves to Committee

Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty’s private Bill to protect first responders and health care workers has passed to the committee stage.

But, Doherty is still disappointed, after the House failed to reach unanimous consent to expedite its passage through all stages of the House.

If passed, Bill C-321 would make all cases of assault against a first responder or health care worker be considered aggravated during sentencing.

It comes after a spike in attacks on frontline workers in recent years, as emphasized in a 2019 report from the Standing Committee on Health.

Doherty says that no further studies should be needed, and that immediate action is needed to protect frontline workers.

Without unanimous consent, the Bill moves to committee where it will be considered for third reading before heading to the Senate.