Mr. Speaker, Mayerthorpe, Alberta is a small rural town in the riding of Yellowhead. It is where I was born. Last week this quiet community was jolted by the senseless deaths of four young RCMP officers: Constables Peter Schiemann, Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston and Brock Myrol.
The officers were killed in the line of duty, paying the ultimate sacrifice in helping to bring peace and order to our communities.
The citizens of Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt are in mourning and they are responding as small towns can. They are reaching out to their families, to the RCMP detachment and to each other.
I know that Canada joins them in their grief. We mourn. We pray. We remember.
We in this House are reminded again of our solemn duty to pass laws that ensure the safety of our citizens and our police officers. The courts must uphold those laws.
On behalf of the citizens of Yellowhead, I extend my sympathy to the families and friends of the fallen officers and to the brave young men and women of the RCMP.
We thank them for their sacrifice. We will remember them.