That the Mayor, on behalf of Council, write to MP Alistair MacGregor, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, federal Minister of Health Mark Holland, and Nanaimo MP Lisa Marie Baron, noting the City of Nanaimo’s support for a national strategy on brain injuries.
is a motion. Councilor Gesselbrock. Yeah, from the correspondence. Basically, the correspondence asked if we endorsed. Bill C 277, which is the national strategy on Brain Injuries act, and that was brought forward as a private members bill, but basically. It's a bill that's asking for a national strategy to deal with brain injuries. And it's something that we struggle with in our community and a large number of Canadians do, and we're impacted by it on the streets, and it's something that larger. Organization around is needed for more supports with folks with brain injuries. But normally we don't wade into federal things. But this is one thing that we can simply send a letter and ask for support. Our support of it to let our mps and prime minister know that Nanaimo could use help. With this. So I would like to move a motion, if that's all right, about the request, and the motion basically says that council endorsed the content of the federal private members bill. C 277 national strategy on Brain Injuries act. That council request the mayor to write the prime minister. Minister of Health and Local MP, noting an Imo support for Bill C 277 and the mayor write other neighboring BC municipalities to encourage them to endorse B Bill C 27. Councilor.
very much. Councilor Armstrong yeah, I agree with Councilor Brown. I really struggle with us stepping into federal jurisdiction, especially for a new bill. It's different if there's already an established bill. Which we've seen the impact. So I can't support the motion is written either. Thank you. Councilor Gesselbrock. If folks want to suggest an amendment, let's do that.
I'm certainly in favor of us showing support for this. This is an issue while it might not be in our jurisdiction, per se. It's an issue that we're really struggling with in an Imo, the letter from the Nanaimo brain injury society talks about the link between. Overdoses from the toxic drug crisis and brain injuries, and that is, that's something that we're really witnessing on the street and a huge lack of support for people who have come through that. So I think this is an important thing for us to weigh into and. Let our provincial and federal representatives know that we need more supports for people.
Councilor Prino. Thank you, you, worship. And obviously, I agree 100%. With what councilor? Eastmeer has just said, I just think the important thing to note with this is that we're not stepping into the role of the federal government. This is about advocacy, and this is such an important topic. And I'm pleased to see that we're doing this, and I'm really impressed with the nanimo brain injury. She cited that they have started this. This is an important piece of work. And actually, I did like the bill c two. It was well written. I'm pleased to see
people might. I'm just saying. I'm pointing to a controversial topic. And my point in doing that is this. If I may, I'm going to support this tonight. But I want to make council aware. I hope that it doesn't become a habit in this sense only. We will spend a great deal of time debating issues that are not. In our line of fire, if you will. You can use whatever cliche you want that aren't our knitting, et cetera. And I think there is always a risk at that because others in the community may well say, well, council should be supporting this, and we'll start. To receive more and more letters. In this particular case, I'm well familiar with the work of the brain injury society. They're very able. Executive director is here. I never speak in a public place around. The street disorder we have in our community without talking about the mental health, addictions, trauma and brain injury crisis. And indeed. A significant portion of the people in our streets who are homeless and suffering from addiction and mental health issues. Now have significant brain injuries, so I'm going to support it because I believe it's. Important to send a message, but I do want to put counsel on notice. There will be come times when we may have to step back and recognize if we don't stick to our knitting. We will spend a great deal of our evening talking about things that we have no control over. No responsibility to fund and will not be able to move forward. The proper business of the city of Nanaim. So, having gotten my little piece out, all those in favor. Any opposed? None. Motion carries.