Mr. Speaker, in December 1997 the hon. Lloyd Axworthy and the House of Commons guided 122 countries into an anti-landmine treaty.
The Ottawa convention encouraged all nations to stop producing, exporting and using anti-personnel mines. Five years after this landmark treaty was signed between 50 million and 100 million landmines are still active in the world. The removal of landmines is one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our age.
By hosting a fundraising dinner for the Canadian Landmine Foundation as part of the Night of a Thousand Dinners campaign, we can show support for this important issue while enhancing the quality of life for many innocent people all over the world.