Funeral Professionals Encourage MPs to Vote in Favour of Bill C-247

OTTAWA, Oct. 8, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, The Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) is calling on Members of Parliament from all parties to vote in favour of Bill C-247: An Act to expand the mandate of Service Canada in respect of the death of a Canadian citizen or Canadian resident.  This bill was introduced by Mr. Frank Valeriote, if the vote goes in favour of the Bill today, it will go to Committee stage where it will be further examined.

Bill C-247 would expand the mandate of Service Canada in respect of the death of a Canadian citizen or Canadian resident. Under the current system, there is no single point of contact to register the death of a Canadian. This inefficiency requires an estate representative to contact different administrations to report a death. Bill C-247 could streamline this process, thereby reducing costs and confusion for an estate representative.

Members of FSAC came to Ottawa in June when the Bill was first debated and sought support from all parties to vote the Bill through to committee. Following their initial meetings, FSAC Board Members have participated in a number of important conversations with Service Canada to explore the finer details of the proposed Bill, and to seek ways the Government can better serve Canadians.

"We are really encouraged that all parties are working together to facilitate the implementation of this very common sense piece of legislation," said Jim Bishop, Chair of the Government Relations Committee of FSAC. "There seems to be positive momentum behind reducing this red tape for Canadians and we are hopeful that the Bill will get sent through to Committee."

During the discovery phase for this Bill, it has been noted that there will likely have to be some amendments to the Bill to strengthen it. For example, not all departments have access to SIN card information thereby altering the process by which the registration of a death to that department would have to occur. Ultimately, FSAC is keen to see the government provide a better road map for the death registration process. Members of Parliament made comment during the debate that the Government recognizes that Service Canada needs to do a better job communicating the requirements around a death registration to Canadians. Also, it was confirmed that Service Canada will continue to work with FSAC and other stakeholders to create a more informed outreach so all Canadians can easily understand the process of registering a death. 

"We maintain that this bill addresses a non- partisan issue that would provide better service for Canadians and ease the process of dealing with the death of a loved one," concluded Bishop. "We look forward to continuing to consult with Service Canada and Members of Parliament on the matter."

FSAC is the leading national professional association representing 85% of all deaths in Canada through numerous funeral homes, cemeteries and funeral service professionals across the country. In the countless services provided by our members, the most important aspect of a funeral is dignity. FSAC has been providing leadership and guidance to funeral providers for more than 80 years and works to improve the profession through advocacy and education.

SOURCE: Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC)

Kalene DeBaeremaeker, Phone: [phone] | Cell: 613-857-1758, [email protected]