NEWS RELEASE
BRENT ST. DENIS, MP
********************* St. Denis introduces peacekeeper bill as debate over Afghanistan heats up OTTAWA, Ontario, May 18th, 2006 — Brent St. Denis, Member of Parliament for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing and associate Liberal critic for veterans affairs recently tabled a private member's bill in the House of Commons entitled An Act Respecting a National Peacekeepers'Day.
"I am pleased to introduce a bill which, if passed, would create on August 9 of every year a National Peacekeepers' Day," said St. Denis in the House of Commons. "It was some 32 years ago, on August 9, 1974, that nine Canadian Forces peacekeepers en route from Beirut to Damascus were killed by a surface to air missile. They represent the several hundred peacekeepers who have been killed serving Canada and the world in this capacity."
The introduction of Bill C-287 is in continuation of Mr. St. Denis’s strong support and deep respect of veterans across Canada and in Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing.
In 2002, Mr. St. Denis successfully introduced Bill C-227, which officially recognizes April 9th as a Canadian Heritage Day known as Vimy Ridge Day.
This bill was passed by Parliament, under Mr. St. Denis' leadership, in recognition of the important battle where 100,000 Canadian Troops from all regions of Canada battled enemy soldiers at Vimy Ridge in France and won.
With the recent developments in Ottawa in which some have questioned Canada's commitment to the mission in Afghanistan, this private member's bill takes on increased significance.
Despite points of contention regarding a new mandate in Afghanistan, Mr. St. Denis and his colleagues remain committed to our brave men and women who serve overseas and within our borders.
Now more than ever, troops and veterans need to know that we are behind them.
"Inasmuch as my riding was once the riding of Lester B. Pearson, I think it is most appropriate that this bill be sponsored by the member from Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing," concluded St. Denis. "It is especially appropriate at this time, as we discuss Canada's role in Afghanistan, to remind ourselves that Canada's place in the world is indeed that of peacekeeping."
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