Mr. Speaker, on October 7, Canada agreed to provide military support to the international coalition against terrorism. The Bloc Quebecois immediately said that it agreed with the important support role the Canadian armed forces had been given.
The international community must respond to the terrible attacks of September 11 by striking back at the terrorists and those who are aiding them.
Accordingly, the Bloc Quebecois salutes the first Canadian troops leaving today for the theatre of operations. We have every faith that they will accomplish their mission.
To the sailors departing the Port of Halifax today, and to the troops who will follow, we say “We hope that all of you will return safely, once your tour of duty is over”.
The fight against terrorism must result in as few victims as possible, both within the coalition and on the ground. I therefore call upon the troops to safeguard their own lives as well as the lives of Afghani civilians.
Canadian troops have a responsibility to assist the international coalition in its efforts to spare the civilian population as much as possible.
We pay tribute to their courage, we thank them for their sacrifices, and we assure them and their families that we admire them greatly and that we are behind them all the way.