Funeral Professionals Pleased to see Bill C-247 Pass Through the House of Commons

OTTAWA, Dec. 4, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, The Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) was pleased to see all party support at third reading for Bill C-247, the Main Point of Contact with the Government of Canada in case of Death Act This bill was introduced by Guelph MP Frank Valeriote, and will now move to the Senate for consideration.

Bill C-247 makes Service Canada the primary point of contact with government upon the death of a Canadian citizen or resident. Currently, there is no single point of contact to register the death of a Canadian, meaning an estate representative must contact a number of different agencies and departments to report a death. Bill C-247 streamlines this process, reducing costs, confusion and workload for an estate representative.

FSAC has supported this legislation since its introduction. "This Bill will ease the burden on grieving families. It's a smart piece of legislation that reduces red tape and ultimately serves Canadians by making their lives a little bit easier," said Jim Bishop, Chair of the Government Relations Committee of FSAC.

During the summer, FSAC Board Members participated in a number of important consultations with Service Canada to explore prospective implementation of this legislation and to seek ways the Government can better serve Canadians. "We are really encouraged that all parties worked so closely together to facilitate a fair a thorough review of Bill C-247," continued Bishop.

While there have been minor amendments to the Bill, the essence that was intended has remained intact. FSAC was very pleased to also have the opportunity to testify in support of C-247 before the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in October. Jim Bishop presented a thorough account of his daily encounters with grieving families trying to navigate the confusing and repetitive process of registering the death of a loved one.

In fact, Members of Parliament made comment during the initial debates that the Government recognizes that Service Canada needs to do a better job communicating the requirements around a death registration to Canadians. Also, it was confirmed that Service Canada will continue to work with FSAC and other stakeholders to create a more informed outreach so all Canadians can easily understand the process of registering a death.

"We must congratulate all parties on their commitment to improve the function of government departments and make them accessible to Canadians. We have been very proud to participate in this process."

FSAC is the leading national professional association representing 85% of all deaths in Canada through numerous funeral homes, cemeteries and funeral service professionals across the country. In the countless services provided by our members, the most important aspect of a funeral is dignity. FSAC has been providing leadership and guidance to funeral providers for more than 80 years and works to improve the profession through advocacy and education.

SOURCE: Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC)

Kalene DeBaeremaeker, Phone: [phone] | Cell: 613-857-1758, [email protected]