Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are so many important issues before us to talk about; however, I feel emotionally compelled to say a few words about the horrific tragedy in Ottawa today. Truly a very difficult day for all Canadians and our Armed Forces who, truly, we are all very proud of. I’m really saddened by the passing of the soldier who was honestly standing up for Canada. This attack wasn’t just on him, it was an attack on all Canadians and I’m confident we will rise in his name again to stand strong.
Anyone I’ve talked to today, without question, has found this an incredibly emotional and disturbing issue. It’s very hard for someone like myself not to feel emotional about those attacks. All of those folks attacked were innocent and they did not deserve anything like this.
To my knowledge, the attacker’s motives are not known, and in many ways may never be understood. However, the families hurt by this will deserve answers, some of which may be difficult to get. I am certainly sending my prayers to the family of the affected soldier who was standing there for us. He was on guard for Canada in front of our National War Memorial.
I call upon all Northerners to pause today to appreciate the dedication, the risks and the service our armed service personnel put forward each and every day in our nation and across the world for all of us.
I know this isn’t over yet and our RCMP are doing their very best to catch all those involved, and I have every confidence in their service as well.
Thank you to Kevin Vickers – he’s the Sergeant-at-Arms in Ottawa, a distinguished man in his own right – for taking down this horrible person in Parliament today. His actions probably could have saved many other lives, not just politicians but many staff who devote themselves to this country and the democracy we all fight so hard for.
This action of this terrible person has made me very angry. It’s made me angry in a way of saying, why would someone do such a horrible thing to another person? This can only be described as a horrific act. I feel no other way to describe it. I feel awful. I can’t believe he would do this.
I am grateful that I live in Canada, and I know many of us are as well. We have an amazing Armed Forces personnel, who each and every day I am grateful we have for all of us as Canadians. So, as they daily stand for us, whether it’s in Yellowknife, in Hay River, whether it’s in Ottawa, whether it’s in Afghanistan, they are there for us. So now, more than ever, we need to make sure that we are all there for them. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
