Mr. Speaker, prior to World War II there were no women serving in Canada's armed forces. The Canadian women who enlisted then in the army, navy and air force became a significant part of Canada's military history. They proudly served both at home and overseas. Women were numbered among the casualties.
Canada's women veterans of World War II have been recognized locally with memorials such as the tri-service statue in Winnipeg and bronze statues in Brantford, but there are few others.
National recognition of World War II women veterans is long overdue. It is high time our government recognized the women who served through a tri-service statue in Ottawa. I urge the government to see to it that women veterans of World War II are properly recognized and honoured while some are still with us. Would not this be a fitting Year 2000 project?