Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member just mentioned, February is heart month. It is the time of year when thousands of people on behalf of the Heart and Stroke Foundation donate generously of their time and money. The funds go directly toward continued research.
Heart disease and stroke continue to be the number one killer of both men and women in Canada each year. It is likely that each one of us will be directly or indirectly touched by heart disease or stroke at some time in our lives. It is important for Canadians to know that they can make a difference.
I applaud the efforts of those who have joined in the fight. Again, it is because of the thousands of volunteers, canvassers, donors and countless others that important advancements in medical research can be made.