Mr. Speaker, this is my first opportunity from the floor of the House of Commons to congratulate Canada on winning the World Curling Championship.
The team consists of skip Kerry Burtnyk, third Jeff Ryan, second Rob Meakin and lead Keith Fenton. This outstanding foursome curls out of Winnipeg's Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club which is located at the end of the street where I live. I humbly confess to some local pride.
The Burtnyk team, however, are true world champions. They swept the tournament in Brandon, winning all 11 games and the coveted crown on a spectacular last rock double takeout in the final match against Scotland.
Their victory highlights an outstanding season for Manitoba curlers, a season that saw Manitoba teams win two world crowns and two national championships.
Again, my congratulations to Kerry Burtnyk, Jeff Ryan, Rob Meakin and Keith Fenton. They are the world's finest for '95. They are great citizens of Manitoba, the hotbed of curling in Canada.