Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First, I would like to greet you all. This isn't the first time we've met. The issue of citizenship is very important for me, for two reasons.
First, the identity question is a great concern for us as Quebeckers, but there is also the fact that I am the member for Vaudreuil-Soulanges. That's a riding located just next to the veterans hospital. A lot of veterans' families live in my riding. The Manoir Cavagnal, among others, houses a number of elderly persons. During my visits, I met war brides, who told me all their stories. When I took an interest in the citizenship issue, that meant a lot to them. It also troubled them for their children, I believe.
Melinda, you know one of those women from Hudson, with whom you worked. I'd like to ask you some questions. You talked about the fact that, in 1994, there was this concept of Canadian citizenship. Last week, the veterans of the Canadian Legion came and testified. As the celebrations of the anniversary of the battle of Vimy approach, we're talking about the emergence of a nation at that time as well.
In the historical research that you've done, could we go back to 1917?