Halifax West MP Geoff Regan tables bill
to establish Purple Day

OTTAWA (June 19, 2009) – Halifax West MP Geoff Regan tabled a Private Members’ Bill in the House of Commons today that would establish March 26th as Purple Day each year.

“Purple Day was founded in 2008, by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan from my riding of Halifax West. Purple Day is a grass-roots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide,” Regan said Friday.

This Bill is an effort not only to mark March 26th as Purple Day but also to increase awareness of epilepsy, the Liberal MP said of his bill.

Regan acknowledged that Purple Day would not be possible without the initiative taken by Cassidy Megan, and he thanked her for her leadership on this issue.

Halifax West MP Geoff Regan tables bill
to amend Youth Criminal Justice Act

OTTAWA (June 17, 2009) – Halifax West MP Geoff Regan tabled a Private Members Bill in the House of Commons today that would fully implement the federal recommendations of the Nunn Commission.

“The proposed amendments in my bill flow from the changes to the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) recommended by the Nunn Commission in Nova Scotia,” Regan said Wednesday.

The Liberal MP said his bill strives to fully implement the Nunn Commission recommendations, something the Conservative government has failed to accomplish. “This Private Members Bill is in response to the tragic death of a Nova Scotia teaching assistant killed in a 2004 crash by a repeat young offender,” Regan noted.

 He said his bill will correct flaws and omissions in Conservative attempts to revamp some parts of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. “In meetings with Halifax’s police chief and other law enforcement officials – and at town hall meetings I’ve held with residents of my riding – it was made clear the changes I’m bringing forward today are necessary to improve the act and make our neighborhoods safer,” Regan said.

 “One of the most significant amendments of my bill will revise the existing principles section to set out public safety as a principle. This is consistent with the Nunn Commission recommendations.”