This heartrending video on the 1944 deportation of Crimean Tatars was created by survivors and their descendants in Ukraine.
Today in the House of Commons, my Private Member’s Bill, C-306, the Crimean Tatar Deportation (“Sürgünlik”) Memorial Day Act will be debated. Visit here to see the full text of my bill.
Canada’s formal recognition of this genocidal act will bring Canadians, Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars closer together, and in this spirit I am hoping to have the support of all Members of Parliament.
Thank you to all of Canada’s men and women in uniform – past and present – for your tremendous service to Canada.
This week is Veterans week.
It’s an opportunity to pause and remember the men and women who have served Canada with great distinction.
Their willingness to defend freedom, democracy and the rule of law is the reason that we as Canadians continue to live in peace and security.
This Remembrance Day, I hope you will join me in honouring and remembering the bravery and sacrifice of Canada’s Veterans.
Here’s a list of just some of the local ceremonies happening on Remembrance Day:
Beverly Memorial Cenotaph
Service starts at Maranatha Church at 9:30 a.m., followed by a parade to the Beverly Memorial Cenotaph. The ceremony at the Cenotaph begins at 11 a.m.
Calder Cenotaph
Service starts at the Northwest Seniors Centre at 10 a.m., followed by a parade to the Calder Cenotaph. The ceremony at the Cenotaph begins at 10:50 a.m.
Patricia Park in Griesbach
Service starts at 10:45 a.m. at Patricia Park in Griesbach. The ceremony is hosted by Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
ANAVETS Sir Winston Churchill Unit Three
Parade starts at the top of the Shaw Center (on Jasper Ave.) and will march to the Cenotaph on the West Side of the Shaw Center. The parade will start at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome and Veterans are invited to join the march.
Today, I was honoured to pay tribute to D-Day veteran Paul Lefaivre in the House of Commons.
Canada’s veterans have served our country with great distinction and we are forever indebted to them.
To all of Canada’s Veterans and today’s men and women in uniform – thank you for your service.
It was a pleasure today to present Edmonton Griesbach constituent Paul Lefaivre, 92, with a congratulatory certificate for his recent award. Paul was awarded France’s National Order of the Legion of Honour, that country’s highest decoration, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. Paul is a D-Day vet and was in the Royal Canadian Navy.
I first met him more than 20 years ago when I interviewed him for an Edmonton Sun feature story I wrote on D-Day. We then got to know each other very well when we sailed to Europe on the QE2 in 1994 as part of a commemorative trip for veterans returning to the shores of Normandy.
With so many veterans aboard the ship, there was no end to the great material for news columns that I filed daily to the newspaper. Congrats on your award, Paul. And thanks for your service to this country.
