Mr. Speaker, several guests are here today to open a Croatian art exhibit in support of child mine victims. The event is hosted by the Croatian embassy and Lodge 2000 of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America.
Croatia was among the first countries to sign the Ottawa convention banning anti-personnel landmines and the 12th to ratify it. Some three million landmines litter the country blocking refugee returns, reconstruction efforts and economic development.
Canadian technology has been used in the removal of landmines in Croatia, and last month Canada donated $3.5 million for several programs including de-mining.
I join members of the House in welcoming CFU national president Bernard Luketich, and I commend Lodge 2000 for its efforts to support child mine victims.