Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a select group of men and women we as parliamentarians have come to know on a professional basis. The people of whom I speak are the men and women of the House of Commons security services which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
The history of the security services may be traced from the original two parliamentary door guards appointed to keep watch on the newly constructed departmental buildings in 1865 through the creation in 1868 of the Dominion Police Force which was absorbed into the Royal North West Mounted Police in 1920, to the creation of the House of Commons protective staff. In recent years, in recognition of the broader scope of its activities, the House changed the title to security services. It has and continues to provide an excellent service, not only to the members of this House, but to all who enter these buildings.
I invite all members of this House to join me in congratulating members of the House of Commons security services on a job well done as well as wishing them continued success in the years to come.