Mr. Speaker, in a democracy we have the right to protest but we must obey and respect the law.
Those people who protested peacefully at the summit of the Americas in Quebec City were exercising their democratic right. However, those people who thought protesting meant throwing bottles, bricks, pucks and iron were nothing more than hooligans and anarchists.
I want to highly commend our police services, especially the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the provincial police and the local municipal regional police forces for an outstanding show of restraint, discipline and professionalism.
Just for a moment, imagine how police in most countries in the world would have acted if faced with those violent protesters, coupled with the heavy burden and task of protecting 34 heads of government. We can only imagine.
Our police services are second to none in the world. They deserve the gratitude and thanks of a very grateful nation.