I draw to the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Ernest Alvia Smith, better known as Smokey Smith, Canada's last surviving Victoria Cross recipient. The Victoria Cross is the highest medal for bravery bestowed in the Commonwealth by Her Majesty.
As a member of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, Private Smith earned his Victoria Cross for action in Italy during the second world war. Mr. Smith is in Ottawa for this year's national Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11.