Mr. Speaker, today marks the 58th anniversary of D-Day. On June 6, 1944, 14,000 Canadians landed on Juno Beach in Normandy, France. The Canadian assault force suffered 1,074 casualties that day, that is one in every 14, and 359 Canadians gave their lives.
The D-Day invasion in France was the largest amphibious operation in military history involving Allied troops from all fighting services. It was also the beginning of the end of the war in Europe. It is important that we remember the brave men and women who left Canada to defend those values which define Canadians. They volunteered for what has become a long tradition of Canadians serving the cause of peace worldwide.
To ensure we do indeed remember all Canadians who served in the second world war, overseas and on the home front, the government recently announced $1 million in support of the Juno Beach centre currently under construction in France, bringing Canada's total contribution to over $1.25 million.
Lest we forget.