Mr. Speaker, the Canadian armed forces has had a minister over a number of years now, one of the longest serving ministers in the history of the Department of National Defence, who has done yeoman's service on their behalf, who they know is their champion in cabinet, who they know represents them well around the world. The job that they are doing on behalf of all of us--not on behalf of the United States but on behalf of Canadians, in harm's way--is one that Canadians know is important for us to do.
In the House of Commons on January 31st, 2002. See this statement in context.