Today is a rather special day for us in the House for a reason other than question period.
We have with us today a large group of very distinguished Canadians. Canadians will not soon forget the Saguenay floods or those of the Red River Valley. They have become part of our history because of the extent of the disaster but mostly because in a time of crisis a remarkable spirit of co-operation emerged that left no one indifferent and brought all Canadians together in Quebec and in Manitoba.
Canadian military personnel led rescue and relief efforts working alongside civilian volunteers in difficult and dangerous conditions.
Humanitarian agencies, municipal, provincial and federal officials together came to the aid of families and communities. Canadians from every part of the country responded generously to appeals for assistance.
It was a remarkable show of Canadian solidarity. It was the finest possible example of team Canada at work.
Sometimes, it is the most difficult of times that show what it is that unites a community. In the Saguenay, and in Manitoba, thousands of Canadians battled together to save homes and lives, to help their neighbours and to rebuild communities.
There are so many of them, these volunteers, these heroes and heroines, that it would be impossible to receive them all here in the House of Commons. But what an honour it is for us to receive 30 Canadian military personnel and 40 civilians who brought assistance to the disaster victims.
Those of you who are here before me today represent all of the men and women who took part in that effort of Canadian solidarity. Through you, we salute their extraordinary work, their courage, their spirit of co-operation, and their readiness to lend a helping hand.
We, the collective members of the House of Commons and the representatives of us, the 30 million Canadians, thank you and all those you represent for showing us that there is a powerful sense of community in Canada and for reminding us that when it really counts we are there for each other.
To the heroes and heroines du Saguenay et de la riviére Rouge, please stand.