Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning of National Family Week and, on behalf of the Reform Party, I want to commend all Canadian families for the vital role they play in the stability and survival of Canadian society.
Without question, the family is our most valuable institution and the heart of our social order. It is the place where children are brought into the world and cared for. It is where they learn, or ought to learn, trust, love and security as well as the values and behaviour that will make them good citizens and in turn good parents themselves.
The family is where our most deeply held beliefs are passed on to future generations. It is where social stability and prosperity begin.
That is why since its inception the Reform Party of Canada has recognized the importance of strong family units in building a successful society. The party's constitution states:
We affirm the value and dignity of the individual person and the importance of strengthening and protecting the family unit as essential to the well-being of individuals and society.
Put simply, families represent the future of Canada. It is in the best interest of us all to make sure they are healthy and thriving.