Mr. Speaker, yesterday throughout our land Canada's reserve force personnel wore their uniforms with pride as part of Reserve Force Uniform Day.
Reservists have served Canada for over a century and serve on peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. On behalf of the federal New Democratic Party, it is my honour to commend all reservists on their commitment to their community and country.
In my riding of Halifax West, reservists played an essential role in the recovery of Swissair Flight 111. Elsewhere, reservists have played an invaluable service throughout Canada, including during the Manitoba flood, the 1998 ice storms, avalanches and forest fires.
I urge all Canadians to take time to say thank you to the reservists so committed to our country. I also urge the Liberal government to pass legislation offering job protection to Canada's reserve force soldiers called upon to serve their country. It is appalling that the government refuses to take simple measures to ensure reservists' jobs would be protected while they are defending the interests of our country.
I also call upon the government not to reduce or eliminate these most valuable components of the military who serve their communities and their country so well, but rather to resource and support them fully for the work they do.