Mr. Speaker, along with thousands of other men, I have looked in the mirror each morning like a teenage boy, wondering if I can grow facial hair.
Despite the laughter, my efforts to grow a moustache have drawn lots of attention to a very serious situation: prostate cancer. Through friends I have been touched by this deadly yet wholly preventable disease.
The month-long Movember campaign has broached the subject with humour. Well it has to, because too many men still do not get it. That is why thousands of men across Canada, including some of my colleagues in this House, otherwise clean shaven and handsome, have grown, or tried to grow, a moustache.
We are raising awareness about prostate cancer, the advantages of regular checkups, early detection and talking to one's doctor. I encourage all Canadians to donate to this worthy cause, but critically, I urge all men to take action now.
To members of this House and my friends and family who have had so much fun at my expense, I ask them to participate in this awareness campaign, too. They might be amazed at how much fun they can have being serious.