Mr. Speaker, last Thursday, four members of the RCMP were murdered in cold blood in Alberta, simply because they were police officers.
However, this lack of respect for life must not lead to revenge but to vigilance. After we have learned to deal with our pain, even though, on the face of it, no professional mistakes appear to have been made, we must try to learn from this so as to prevent future tragedies.
With remarkable courage, the father of one of the victims said, “Even if I could go back six years knowing what I know now, I would not discourage my son from his chosen career, which he loved so much. If I let myself be overwhelmed by hate, I too would be a victim of this massacre”.
The Bloc Québécois extends its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of constables Schiemann, Johnston, Gordon and Myrol, as well as to the Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt communities and all police forces across Canada. We too share your sorrow.