Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise in this House as chair of the Canadian branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to draw the attention of my hon. colleagues that today is Commonwealth Day. This important event is celebrated annually on the second Monday in March to mark the establishment of the modern Commonwealth.
Our nation has benefited greatly from its membership in the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth stands as a symbol of international co-operation and it is a model for all nations to work together in friendship.
The theme of Her Majesty's Commonwealth Day message is “Sport Bringing Us Together”. Apart from more formal contacts between governments, the Commonwealth provides many special links between its members, one of those being through sport.
The Commonwealth Games which are being held in September in Malaysia are indeed known as the friendly games and for good reason. This great sporting event will bring together people from every background proudly representing their countries, competing for the love of their sport and with only one goal, to be the best that they can be.
I hope all members and Canadians will join with me in wishing our Commonwealth friends peace and happiness.