Mr. Speaker, after reassuring Canadians through legislation that lacrosse remains a national sport, just one year later lacrosse is once more fighting for recognition.
Who did the Canadian people vote to make decisions for them, the 295 MPs elected in October 1993 or those few deciding which sports to fund? Yes, cuts have to be made. However, the guidelines and their implementation for the allocation of funds are unfair.
With one day's notice lacrosse lost 60 per cent of its funding. The process is wrong. Those making the decisions have lost sight of the fact that lacrosse, our national sport, has been ignored for the past 60 years, whereas hockey remains strong because of their constant support.
I remind the House that in 1904 Canada sent its first delegation to the Olympic games. Lacrosse is the only team sport in which Canada has won more medals than the rest of the world combined.
Lacrosse is growing in population yearly, especially after last year's Commonwealth games. Our Canadian youth need our support to keep them playing lacrosse.