Mr. Speaker, I am very proud today, May 12, International Nurses' Day, to pay tribute to the 264,000 nurses in Canada and especially the 65,000 nurses in Quebec. More than ever, these professionals of whom a lot is asked deserve recognition for the outstanding quality of service they give the public.
Today's theme is "nurses make all the difference". I thank these men and women whom I know well, from having been around them for a long time, for their contribution and their faithfulness. Their skill and their ability to listen are what make our health services as good as they are.
As we recognize this fact, we recognize the essential contribution of nurses to maintaining the basic values of our society.