Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Canadian official opposition I ask the members of the House of Commons and all Canadians from sea to sea to pay tribute to the President of South Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela.
Canadians supported Mr. Mandela's struggle against oppression because Canadians believe in the equality of all people. We believe in justice and accountability and we believe in the fundamental freedoms for all people.
Now Canadians cheer on and support a renewed South Africa, a South Africa that works to achieve the ideals of democracy, equality and freedom, a South Africa that is a model for other states in and beyond Africa. Canadians also support South Africa as it reinvigorates its domestic democracy, as it reforms its institutions of government and moves into the 21st century.
In short, Canada and South Africa have been close in the past and will remain friends in the future. Today it is a great honour to welcome Nelson Mandela and his wife and celebrate a victory for freedom over oppression.