Mr. Speaker, this is National Volunteer Week.
As members of Parliament we must acknowledge the tremendous contributions that many Canadians make in improving the lot of their fellow citizens. Time is one of our most precious commodities. It is important that all of us use this time effectively and efficiently.
Across Canada many Canadians budget some of their time in an effort to enhance their communities by serving on boards, in providing recreation, in coaching, with youth programs, in visiting the sick and providing services that would cost our communities
many thousands of dollars. Volunteerism, the offering of one's time to the community, offers all of us a tremendous contribution.
Today we salute these volunteers for their efforts and those people who offer their services to charities.
I would like to challenge all Canadians to reflect on this use of time and consider the importance of volunteerism.