National Day of Action

Doctors and health professionals in 13 cities across the country to join in a National Day of Action on April 3rd to call for stronger gun laws in Canada

As first-hand witnesses to the emotional and physical trauma and devastation caused by guns, doctors and other health professionals are coming together to call for a public health focus to the debate around guns and a comprehensive public policy response to this crisis in our communities.

Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns is holding a national Day of Action on April 3rd in 13 cities across the country, from coast to coast, in large centres and smaller communities, call for stronger gun laws. Specifically, the grassroots group, comprised of trauma surgeons, emergency room physicians, paediatricians, psychologists and nurses, paramedics and other health professionals is urging the federal government to pass Bill C-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms, and to implement a handgun and assault weapons ban.

Guns represent a growing public health threat. Statistics Canada reports that firearm-related violent crime has increased 42% since 2013, and Canada has the 5th highest rate of firearm mortality among 23 countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (Annals of Surgery, 2018). Women and girls are particularly vulnerable. Shooting was the most common method of their killing in 2018 at 34% according to the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability. There is an increased risk of suicide when guns are accessible as noted in a 2018 statement by the Canadian Pediatric Society.

Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns has concluded that we must treat gun related injury and death the way we treat other public health issues, such as smoking and road safety. The group looks forward to working with governments, health and legal stakeholders, and all concerned Canadians to respond to this urgent public health crisis.

National Day of Action Events – April 3rd

• Toronto: Noon. Rally. United Church Grounds. Queen St. East and Bond St.
• Montréal: 11 am. Montréal General Hospital. Livingston Hall 6th Floor; 12:30 March to McGill University Medical School.

• Calgary: Noon. Rally. 29th St. and 16th Ave.
• Edmonton: Noon. Northeast Corner of Garneau Park, 109th St. and 84th Ave.
• Vancouver: Noon. March. St. Paul's Hospital. 1081 Burrard St.
• Ottawa: Noon. Rally. Wellington Street in front of Parliament; Press Conference 1:30, 135-B Press Conference Room
• Kingston: Noon. information session and march. Queen’s Medical School, 15 Arch St.
• Barrie/Midhurst: 3 pm. Discussion forum. Midhurst United Church, 90 Doran Rd.
• Halifax: 11 am. Information Session. IWK Health Centre. Noon. Letter mailing to the Prime Minister.
• St. John's: Noon. Rally. Clock Tower, Student Centre, Memorial University.
• London: Letter mailing to the Prime Minister. London Health Science Centre to Canada Post, A-387 Wellington Rd.
• Ajax: Noon. Letter writing campaign to the Prime Minister.
• Winnipeg: Noon. Letter writing campaign to the Prime Minister.
More to come.

Further information is available at: www.doctorsforprotectionfromguns.ca

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Consultant for Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns

416-996-0767/ christopherholcroft [at] hotmail.ca