Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the outstanding contributions of the high school students in my riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka.
In January I initiated a national unity essay contest at all of the high schools in my riding. I asked students to provide me with their ideas about how Canada could achieve long term national unity. I wanted to encourage our riding's youth to put their thoughts on paper and to commit themselves to working together with their peers to promote unity and pride in Canada.
Our students' responses are a tribute to the sincerity and depth of these young people. I have received many terrific essays and ideas.
Most encouraging of all is the strength of conviction I feel in these students' writings. They believe in their country. They believe in a united Canada from coast to coast to coast. They believe in what we share as Canadians and are committed to preserving it.
These students are our future and they are prepared to and capable of accepting the challenge that is Canada.