moved for leave to introduce Bill C-434, an act to promote the observance of two minutes of silence on Remembrance Day.
Mr. Speaker, I rise, seconded by the hon. member for Edmonton East, to move first reading of an act to promote the observance of two minutes of silence on Remembrance Day. This is a variation of an earlier bill I introduced in this parliament which was substantially to the same effect.
The bill calls upon all Canadians to observe a more fulsome commemoration of the traditional two minutes of silence on Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, a tradition which was once thoroughly held and kept throughout Canada and the rest of the British Commonwealth. Unfortunately in recent years it has been on the wane.
The bill has been modelled upon a similar private members' bill introduced and passed in the Ontario provincial legislature, and indeed one in the British Westminster parliament. It is supported by the Royal Canadian Legion and many other veterans organizations.
I hope that this bill will be drawn and that we will have an opportunity as we approach Remembrance Day this November to debate this important subject.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)