M-623 Canadian Prematurity Day

That the House: (a) recognize November 17 as Canadian Prematurity Day in order to (i) call attention to the serious problem of preterm birth, both in Canada and around the world, (ii) acknowledge and support the important work of health care professionals who work across the continuum of care, including in neonatal intensive care units, in Canada and internationally, (iii) acknowledge and support families dealing with the challenges of preterm births, (iv) study and implement measures to address risk factors for preterm births and increase the survival rate of babies born prematurely both in Canada and internationally; and (b) call on the Minister of Public Works and Government Services to ensure that the Peace Tower be illuminated in purple each year on the occasion of Canadian Prematurity Day.