Mr. Speaker, today I invite members of the House to join me in honouring the Canadian Women's Army Corps.
Last weekend 1,200 people attended the unveiling of Stepping Out, a statue of a uniformed corps member that stands just outside of the new Kitchener armoury.
More than 21,000 women served in the CWAC during the second world war and of those 17,000 came to Kitchener.
The Canadian Women's Army Corps was one of the most striking innovations of Canadian military policy during the war and one of its most successful. The CWACs launched women into a much broader, more active role, both in Canadian society and more particularly in the modern day Canadian forces.
This new statue is a lasting monument to those who led the way. Through its image, the story of the Canadian Women's Army Corps will be told. It is a story of pride, purpose and great accomplishment.
I wish to extend congratulations to the CWAC Memorial Fund Association for creating this lasting monument.