Mr. Speaker, the week of October 19 to October 25 marks YWCA Canada's second annual Week Without Violence. For these seven days the YWCA is challenging all Canadians to live without perpetrating, participating in or observing violence.
This universally significant initiative should be supported year round. A society with less violence is a desirable goal. We as parliamentarians should take a visible role in supporting initiatives such as this one. May our support stand as a statement to all Canadians that any violence is unacceptable in society.
In particular we need to encourage and teach our youth that there are alternatives to violence. To that end I am proud to advise that in our gallery today are students and teachers from Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School in Bayden, Ontario. This high school is located in my riding of Waterloo—Wellington. I am proud that we are able to afford these students greater insight into the Canadian federal system.
It is my hope that these students will leave Ottawa with a new and expanded—