Mr. Speaker, on February 24 Estonians and Estonian Canadians will mark the 85th anniversary of the declaration of Estonian independence. On this proud day in 1918, the people of this Baltic republic broke free and took control of their future after centuries of rule from its various neighbours.
For the next 21 years Estonians basked in the glow of being a new nation on the world stage until the dark clouds of war once again broke out in Europe and around the world.
It was at this point that Canada opened its doors and offered Estonians a new homeland in the aftermath of World War II, and so for the next 51 years Canada served as a refuge during the dark days of Soviet occupation until 1991, when Estonia regained her independence.
I would like to offer my congratulations to President Ruutel, the Estonian parliament and the people of Estonia on this momentous occasion.