Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my four-year-old daughter, her friends and, indeed, all of the children of Winnipeg who are outraged by the unwarranted attack by the member for Regina-Qu'Appelle on Winnie the Pooh. The member charges that by profiling Winnie the Pooh on our stamps we are in danger of losing our identity as a nation.
Winnie the Pooh was born in White River, Ontario. He is named after the great city of Winnipeg. His origins have been celebrated for decades in Canada and there are statues to him in three Canadian cities.
Like a great many other Canadians, our Winnie has made it big on the international stage. He won an Oscar and has become one of the most popular children's entertainers in the world.
Contrary to the statement by the member that we are losing our identity, we are in fact enhancing it. We are celebrating a Canadian who brings joy to the hearts of children around the world.