The Conservative government has shot down an NDP motion to create a national bullying prevention strategy.

The private member's bill, presented by Quebec NDP MP Danny Morin, was supported by all NDP and Liberal MPs.

The final vote, taken in the House of Commons last week, was 134 in favour and 149 against.

"It's a huge disappointment, actually," local NDP MP Jinny Sims said of the outcome. "We've got young people taking their lives. It just sort of breaks your heart."

The MP for Newton-North Delta said she'd hoped partisan politics wouldn't have come into play on this bill.

"We must do everything possible to prevent bullying and protect young people from its devastating effects," she said.

"We have seen too many young people hurt by bullying to reject ideas that will help to correct the problem. Young people and their parents are very concerned about bullying. We need to look at how to prevent bullying, not just how to prosecute offenders after the fact." tzytaruk@thenownewspaper.com

Twitter @tomzytaruk