Mr. Speaker, on May 29, 1987, a group of concerned Canadians made a decision that in a few short years would change the course of Canadian history. On that day delegates from the four western provinces gathered in Vancouver to discuss Canada's economic and political future. Most of these people had never met before, but they were united by their desire to build a better Canada and by a common belief that our political system was in need of urgent and fundamental change.
After much debate, this assembly made an historic decision by resolving to launch the Reform Party of Canada and thereby revitalize Canadian politics. On the anniversary of this event, I salute the visionary women and men whose courage eight years ago provided hope to Canadians that we could build a more prosperous and more democratic Canada for ourselves and our children.