Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to inform the House that this afternoon at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Canada will participate in the second Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Awards ceremony. The Canadian permanent representative, Mr. Paul Heinbecker, will be presented with a medal honouring the 108 Canadians who have lost their lives while serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
I ask all hon. members to join me in playing tribute to all peacekeepers, military and civilian, who have served since 1948 and especially those who have died while serving under the United Nations flag.
Since its inception over 50 years ago Canada has participated in almost all UN peacekeeping operations. I am sure I speak for all Canadians when I say how proud we are of these men and women, military and civilian, who made the supreme sacrifice while serving in UN peacekeeping operations. The recognition of their unequalled contribution to international peace and security is long overdue.