Two MPs from opposite sides of the House squared off this week in a debate over a perceived lack of action on some of the key recommendations to help families suffering the loss of a child.  

Banff-Airdrie Conservative MP Blake Richards was challenged to the debate by Winnipeg North Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux after Richards asked what had been done by the Liberal government on a report making recommendations for Motion 110 originally introduced by Richards.  The motion calls for 12 weeks of benefits and more compassion from Services Canada staff for families who have gone through the loss of a child.

Richards says he was disappointed by the debate. He says Lamoureux promised to say what his government had done with the report, then failed to deliver.

"Obviously disappointing," Richards says, "but I think enlightening for people that were watching either live there in Winnipeg or people that were watching online, they were able to see where things stood."

Richards says he was joined by several Winnipeg area Conservative MPs and others who are running in the upcoming federal election in support of him and the initiative.

"At least you could see who's really serious and who are trying to help with better support and better compassion for these families who have experienced loss."

Lamoureux argued during the debate that the Liberal government hasn't had sufficient time to move on the recommendations.  Richards says that argument doesn't hold water as far as he's concerned.

"In the time since I brought forward that motion, the United Kingdom has passed a bereavement leave for families and it was a year ago so obviously there's been time to do it."

Lamoureux claimed that it's only been six months since the report came out on the motion, which, when you take into account the bureaucracy of government, isn't a lot of time.  That argument made Richards see red.

"I think the moment anyone stands up and starts making excuses for government bureaucracy and how slow it moves, that's the moment they stop being a representative of the people and start being a politician.  What we need is people who are going to represent the people and take action."

Richards' motion is seeking not just longer benefits from the government for grieving parents, it also asks for sensitivity training and more compassion from the people who deal with them after the loss of an infant child.

Richard says, "The kind of comments that were made to Sarah and Lee Cormier from Airdrie, the comment that your child ceases to exist therefore your benefits cease to exist?  Anyone who's a parent must know what that would sound like to hear from a government bureaucrat.  I think everyone would agree that is something that needs to change." 

The Cormiers loss their daughter Quinn to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome at the age of four months, sparked Richards' motion.