Mr. Speaker, Canadians bid farewell to the first troops of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), Edmonton; 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Winnipeg; and a mortar group from 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, Shilo, Manitoba. They go with the best wishes and the goodwill of their fellow citizens.
It is my distinct pleasure to congratulate Brigadier General Ivan Fenton, commander of the land force being deployed to Afghanistan. General Fenton is well known to the people of Renfrew--Nipissing--Pembroke as a former base commander of CFB Petawawa.
To the families and loved ones of the soldiers who are either now on their way or preparing for departure overseas, we have a special expression of gratitude for the personal sacrifice we call upon them to make when duty calls.
We ask them to wear the Canadian patch on their shoulders proudly as they uphold the values and beliefs we all hold dear in the war against international terrorism.