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Jamie Hubley Suicide: Baird Says Schools No Place For Bullying That Pushed Gay Teen To Take Own Life

First Posted: 10/20/11 05:22 PM ET Updated: 10/23/11 03:33 PM ET

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OTTAWA - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says there's no place in schools for the bullying that drove a gay Ottawa teen to take his own life.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, Baird offered his condolences to the family of Jamie Hubley.

The 15-year-old youth killed himself last week after months of suicidal musings on his blog and social-media websites such as Twitter and Tumblr.

His funeral was held Thursday.

"I know I would speak for all members of the House to offer our sincere condolences to the family of Jamie Hubley," Baird said.

"Bullying, homophobia, intolerance and incivility have no place in our schools. It underlies the real challenge of depression and mental health, especially among young people.

"Let us resolve, as a society, to promote tolerance and acceptance of each and every one of our fellow citizens."

Meanwhile, Conservative MPs and staffers posted a video on YouTube in honour of the teen.

In it, they tell kids "it gets better" — a reference to the It Gets Better campaign to help young people facing harassment.

MPs including Baird, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews and Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose also urge teens to help other young people who need help.

Jamie's father, Ottawa city councillor Allan Hubley, says bullying was part of the reason his son took his life.

Hubley says the family knew of several occasions when his son was treated cruelly because he preferred figure skating to hockey.

Jamie recently tried to start a Rainbow Club at his high school to promote acceptance of others, his father said.

"The posters were torn down and he was called vicious names in the hallways and online," the councillor said in a statement.

The elder Hubley says his son struggled with depression and was receiving care from doctors and counsellors.

Baird represents an Ottawa riding next to the one Hubley lived in.

Earlier this month, members of Parliament debated mental health issues after the Liberals called for a national suicide-prevention strategy.

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On the web: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV1i8LWb9hY

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OTTAWA - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says there's no place in schools for the bullying that drove a gay Ottawa teen to take his own life.Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, Baird off...
OTTAWA - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says there's no place in schools for the bullying that drove a gay Ottawa teen to take his own life.Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, Baird off...
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David Valdes Greenwood

David Valdes Greenwood: It Got Better for Me... But That's Not Good Enough

It wasn't inspiration that got me off that bridge but a person who saw a boy in a perilous place. Fewer kids will die when it's not just their parents or their gay and lesbian peers but our entire society that is keeping an eye out on their well-being.

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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
anugs
16 Fans
08:26 AM on 10/24/2011
A concerted effort must be made to stop this epidemic called bullying. Apparently bullying is not an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada(CCC). People know this and know that they can get away with it relatively unscathed. The Govenment must make an effort to include bullying in the CCC. Maybe then if one of these bulliers is caught, convicted and sentence to what ever penatly deemed appropriate for the crime, then maybe we would see the tide turn on this most horrific practice.
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W-Ender
23 Fans
03:51 PM on 10/21/2011
If we didn't concentrate so much on slugging dirt on anyone whose views we don't share and tried to promote tolerance and acceptance then they wouldn't have been a funeral for a 15-year old in Ottawa.
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Daniel Kilgallon
Calgary Heavy Oil
9 Fans
02:10 PM on 10/21/2011
Leave it to Ontario to stereotype conservatives as homophobic and racist; however, attitudes like that leave you back in the 1800's. This issue has nothing to do with whether or not the kid was gay. It has to do with the fact he was bullied to the point that he took his own life.

I'm so glad I don't live in Onterrible.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Heidi Currie
50 Fans
12:28 PM on 10/21/2011
Now, let's hear it from the PM. He won't say it. Homophobe?
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Jay from Ottawa
sovereignty sale, 1.3T OBO
351 Fans
11:35 AM on 10/21/2011
"Bullying, homophobia, intolerance and incivility have no place in our schools." ... only in parliament right Mr.Baird ?

Next time try taking your foot out of your mouth first, it'll make it easier for the rest of us to understand you. I'll fully support Baird (which I never have) if he can stop himself from bringing "bullying, intolerance and incivility" to everything he says and does in parliament.

What a hypocrite !
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EnzoLampGuru
36 Fans
 
10:11 AM on 10/21/2011
How you know when a politician is lying? Because his lips are moving.

His party (Conservative party of Canada) campaigned in Ontario with homophobic and transphobic ads, that's why I DO NOT BELIEVE that Mr. Baird call for "tolerance and acceptance" is honest.
Apologize for the homophobic ads first, then I might believe you.
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john frodo
armchair expert
344 Fans
09:30 AM on 10/21/2011
Queen John, come out of the closet and lead by example.
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cdnman
Still a free spirit...
2275 Fans
11:05 AM on 10/21/2011
Merely a princess.
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Intelevore
40 Fans
 
06:52 AM on 10/21/2011
There are some mighty big closets on the blue side of the House of Commons. And these comments coming from Baird? Wow.

Big closets. some lined with gold.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
kmilford
34 Fans
05:11 AM on 10/21/2011
Why publish the comments of this hack? Bullying is his speciality and he's a politician so who cares what he thinks/
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
elizlucinda
a mind is a terrible thing to waste
960 Fans
07:39 AM on 10/21/2011
there is a very specific reason why Mr.Baird should speak on this topic....good for Mr. Baird for speaking up
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zeppistan
1 Fans
01:08 PM on 10/28/2011
Yes, there is. But until he admits that reason he is, as Rick Mercer noted, not really helping teens who had the cojones to out themselves and try to live with the consequences.

He is entitled to his privacy, and I respect that, but his words on this carry no more meaning than PromisKeeper Sweet's. The government is in a position to act - not just talk - to help to protect children against such abuse. And when Mr. Baird or his party puts out a Bill intended to do just that, only then they will have accomplished something of meaning beyond lip service.
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SarL
1 Fans
11:14 PM on 10/20/2011
"It Gets Better" was created for GLBT teens specifically, not just "young people facing harassment." When Dan Savage sees this video, he will go balistic about how this video waters down the intent of the project. I am waiting for his next column!!!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
lulex
Made in Canada
159 Fans
 
09:51 PM on 10/20/2011
If this government actually WANTED to foster support for these kids, they could make it outlawed for schools to prohibit Gay Straight Alliance groups. All our kids deserve to be safe, to be loved and respected regardless of color, creed or gender. Our babies need better roll models in Parliament with leadership that EXEMPLIFIES values of respect, ethical conduct and cooperation. The reason society is so intolerant stems a great deal from the lack of respect shown from the top on down. This is exactly why the Occupy events are happening.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
lulex
Made in Canada
159 Fans
 
09:42 PM on 10/20/2011
They took the biggest loudest BULLY to send a message that bullying won't be accepted? Are you kidding me?!!!
I fear the Lord himself will smite the House of Commons for this one. Heaven help us.
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BCSLAVE
Got a key?
390 Fans
11:15 PM on 10/20/2011
I need another badge to give away!!! You said it!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
rickthaluddite
What noisy cats are we
425 Fans
 
11:54 PM on 10/20/2011
Fanned, Favourited, and Badged.
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The Canadian
Stop Harper
754 Fans
08:37 PM on 10/20/2011
How ironic that Baird is decrying bullying when his political career has hinged on his ability to bully people. Guess he wants bullying to stay where he feels it apparently belongs, in Parliament.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
rickthaluddite
What noisy cats are we
425 Fans
 
07:08 PM on 10/20/2011
Time for John Baird to come out and bring Laureen Harper with him.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
dannyboy551
Emperor Harper needs to be booted out of power
219 Fans
07:08 PM on 10/20/2011
To have the biggest bullies in the country (not to mention the most homophobic party in recent Canadian History) - The Regressive Conservative Party of Canada - do one of these videos is a slap in the face to everyone in the gay community (with the exception of Baird).
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