Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate all of Canada's athletes at the winter Olympics in Nagano. I want to congratulate the women's hockey team for winning a silver medal for Canada.
Our men's hockey team will be playing for gold. Fifty years ago, the RCAF Flyers won the gold medal for Canada through sheer determination and perseverance. It has not been since 1952 that Canada has won the gold medal in our nation's favourite sport. Canadians from coast to coast to coast and from every territory and province will wait to learn of our great victory.
Canada's Olympians are a source of inspiration and pride for all Canadians, especially our youth. We can all take ownership in Canada's success at the winter Olympics knowing that it is our success that gives us even more reason to celebrate being Canadian.