moved for leave to introduce Bill C-514, an act respecting the establishment and award of a Special Service Medal for Domestic Operations (SSM-DO).
Mr. Speaker, it is my honour today to introduce this bill, entitled an act respecting the establishment and award of a special service medal for domestic operations. I was very much inspired to introduce this bill by the outstanding work that I saw among the armed forces personnel in the Swissair 111 tragedy and the hurricane Juan devastation that occurred in Halifax and surrounding communities.
This bill would recognize the contribution of women and men of the Canadian armed forces who participate in rescue and salvage operations during national emergencies in Canada. This does not happen just in Nova Scotia. We have seen it in other provinces in floods, fires and ice storms. Of course, what they do is work around the clock without remuneration or overtime and often in collaboration with civilians who in fact are remunerated for their work.
The very least we can do is recognize that outstanding contribution through the awarding of a medal.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)