Mr. Speaker, on Saturday at noon about 5,000 proud Canadians gathered in a cold rain on Parliament Hill to show their support for our traditional allies.
Their opposition to the follow-the-polls style of Liberal leadership was very evident from their placards, signs and chants. They wanted their government to know loud and clear that they believe our troops should be in Iraq under the maple leaf, not as foreign exchange soldiers under other nations' flags. Along with my leader and a few others I was proud to have been asked by organizer Debbie Jodoin to say a few words.
This rally was not a pro-war event, as some have stated. It was an appeal to our government that it is never too late to do the right thing by standing with Australia, Great Britain and the United States against the continued sadistic rule of Saddam Hussein.
Instead, the Liberals have chosen to position Canada on the sidelines with France, Germany, Russia and China. Is it any wonder our allies feel betrayed and Canadians feel ashamed of their government?