Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Also, to Mr. Speaker and Ms. O'Brien, thank you for taking the time to be a part of this committee.
I think what you will find, what we have found, and actually what has been a pleasant part of my short tenure here—and I think you could ask Ms. Guarnieri and the past minister, the present minister, and those before—is that this is one of those committees, as mentioned by Ms. Hinton, that it is always a pleasure to come to.
I very much respect the comment you made, Mr. Speaker, that you're pleased to work with members of the standing committee to ensure that the memorial vocation is both reinforced and protected. And we agree with that.
Many of the things I would want to say have been said, but some reinforcement is never out of order, I hope. I believe that this room, following up on the discussion of the people who have been here, clearly is about the present and the future of our veterans, and of their associates who come in to speak on their behalf, who come to this room and to this committee.
We've all been touched by and have worked hard to make reports that come out of this committee go with unanimous support to the House for adoption.
In regard to history and also when we talk, I believe that when they come in, a room has to have something for them—a bit of history, a bit of acknowledgement in the room--so that when they come in they feel some comfort and that it's not just people around the table to listen to them; it acknowledges a little bit about what they have in their present form when they come in.
I don't think any of us are looking for a room that would be decorated to the extent that it would not be usable. In fact, I think it would give encouragement to some committees that used it, as they could reflect that this is a veterans'.... Indeed, this is about what this country is about. That's why we're able to be in this great country of Canada and sitting in a Parliament. It's not just about those who have given their lives and are reflected in the memorial; this is about some of those folks who are still out there right now.
I think it would have a very positive impact, quite honestly, not just on those who are coming in, but on those who go back out and say to their comrades, “You know, we went to the veterans committee, and not only do the committees and this government and this Parliament, in the past, in the future, and in the present, work together, but actually they reflect the significance of what you've done for us in this country.”
We're not asking a lot. I know the names here that are on the committee, and so I just put this forward. There are other rooms that I've had committee meetings in where there are pictures, where there are some commemorations around, and they don't take away from the committee. I really believe, quite honestly, that this would have a very positive impact on those other committees that would be fortunate enough to be able to use this room in their daily routine.
Thank you.