Statement - Minister Goodale encourages Canadians to stand up against bullying this National Pink Shirt Day

OTTAWA, Feb. 23, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, issued the following statement:

"Tomorrow is National Pink Shirt Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the very serious issue of bullying within our schools and communities.

In 2007, David Shepherd and Travis Price of Nova Scotia organized a protest at their high school by wearing pink in support of a Grade 9 boy who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. This simple act of kindness led to a movement that we celebrate each year.

Bullying and cyberbullying can have profound and lasting effects. We all need to do whatever we can to help curb this type of behavior, and to promote kindness and acceptance in our daily lives.

As the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, I am dedicated to working for the safety of our Canadian youth and communities along with my colleagues at all levels of government. Together, with the support of young Canadians, families, educators and organizations, we can help prevent bullying and cyberbullying.

I encourage all Canadians to wear pink tomorrow to show your support for ending all forms of bullying. Join the conversation online using #StopBullying and #PinkShirtDay on Twitter (@Safety_Canada/@GetCyberSafe) and Facebook (Get Cyber Safe) and share our special Pink Shirt Day tweets and posts. Together, we can make a change this Pink Shirt Day!"

Check out tools and resources available at Canada.ca/StopHatingOnline.

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

Scott Bardsley, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, [phone]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, [phone]