Mr. Speaker, as an Allied force veteran, it is with emotion that I share in this pride we are all feeling today on this 50th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe.
On this occasion, let us remember that more than one million Quebecers and Canadians joined the armed forces during the second world war and made a major contribution to the liberation of Europe, notably Belgium, where I was born, from its oppressor. And more than 42,000 of them lost their lives in the process.
I want to draw attention to the courage of the Quebec service members who fought in the Netherlands, among other places, where many distinguished themselves. We thank all those Quebecers and Canadians who served at the front, were killed at sea, on land and in the air or risked their lives to overcome tyranny.