Mr. Speaker, recently I held a national unity essay writing contest among the students in my riding. The response to the contest was overwhelming in the number of entrants, the quality of the writing and the passion which characterized the essays.
After a review by a panel of three volunteer judges, grade 13 student Angela Hood from Listowel District Secondary School was chosen as the winner. She is in our gallery today. Through her essay she clearly demonstrated an appreciation and understanding of the spirit of solidarity which is necessary to ensure our country remains strong and united.
We have many reasons to be proud Canadians. Canada is a universal model of openness, tolerance and generosity. We are a success story, a story to be told to the world. As students in my riding outlined in their essays, they look forward to the future in a country that is strong, prosperous, and most important, united.