Mr. Speaker, today is National Flag of Canada Day. This year we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Canadian flag.
Each year on flag day we reaffirm our pride in this country's flag. Since it was first raised on February 15, 1965 the flag has been a symbol by which our country is recognized throughout the world. Ask anybody who has put it on a backpack and travelled throughout Europe.
The Hon. Maurice Bourdet once stated, “The flag is the symbol of the nation's unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion”.
In recognition of flag day I have sent flags to each of the secondary schools in my riding of Kitchener Centre.
I had the privilege last Friday to visit Cameron Heights Collegiate in downtown Kitchener and there, with students studying international law, we raised a flag to celebrate flag day in Canada.
Raising the flag gives us all an opportunity to reflect on what it is to be Canadian.