Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and privilege for me to rise today in the House of Commons in support of a historic partnership and a very worthwhile cause.
This year the Royal Canadian Legion has joined forces with the Arthritis Society to raise money for the September 2003 “In Flanders Fields Marathon” to take place in Belgium. The marathon participants and legion members will take the opportunity to attend memorial services at the historic Menin Gate in Ypres.
Not only will this venture give more Canadians an opportunity to learn about our rich military heritage, it will contribute much needed resources to the fight against arthritis through the Arthritis Society's “Joints in Motion” campaign. Since the year 2000 the “Joints in Motion” campaign has raised more than $7 million with the generous assistance of Merck Frosst Canada and Global Television.
Tomorrow, the New Brunswick division of the Arthritis Society and the Royal Canadian Legion will launch this fantastic effort at the Ridgewood Veterans Facility in Saint John, New Brunswick and I wish them all good luck.