Mr. Speaker, today is United Nations Day. Sixty-two years ago, the nations of the world founded an organization whose goal was as simple as it was ambitious: to prevent war, to reaffirm human rights, and to promote social progress and freedom for all peoples.
Canada's history in the UN has been a proud one. We are a founding member. A Canadian, John Humphrey, was the principal drafter of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Another Canadian, Lester Pearson, revolutionized the United Nation's role in peacekeeping, and Canadian soldiers have for decades proudly served in the blue beret of the United Nations.
The UN is not a perfect institution, but it is better for Canada's participation in it, and the world is a better place for the existence of the United Nations.
I encourage all members and all Canadians to celebrate United Nations Day.