Mr. Speaker, as International Women's Day approaches I pay tribute to the women of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma.
There are countless women in my riding whose hard work and daily participation in our community make life better for all of us.
It was indeed an honour for me and my staff to highlight a few of these women in our 2008 calendar.
Women make a valuable contribution in business, industry, the arts, education, social justice, environmental causes, community awareness, volunteering, and preserving our cultural heritage.
They represent us in our churches, families, labour unions and municipal government.
I am proud to belong to the caucus with the largest proportion of women in it. Strong, creative women in leadership roles direct debate toward better decisions for working Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
I salute the women in my life, my family, my colleagues, staff and friends who teach me to embrace equality and the dignity of each human being.
It makes me proud to be a New Democrat. It makes me proud to live in Sault Ste. Marie-Algoma.