Mr. Speaker, it is my honour today to rise on behalf of the leader of the official opposition and all Canadians to congratulate the people of Iraq for achieving another important milestone in their determined march toward democracy. This past weekend the good people of Iraq voted by the millions in a referendum on their proposed constitution.
In Canada we sometimes take democracy for granted. In Iraq people went out to the polls knowing that in many areas they actually faced death threats from the destructive haters of freedom who would try and destroy what is happening in that great country. But Iraqis voted. They voted bravely, determinedly and proudly. They are achieving what many naysayers said would never happen. They are building a democratic nation with hopes and dreams for a future of peace and prosperity. In fact, most areas of Iraq now enjoy peace and a growing economy.
We send our congratulations and our ongoing support to the people of Iraq. May they achieve the peace, the democracy, the freedom and the prosperity that they hope for and that we know they can find.