Mr. Speaker, I joined the Canadian navy at the age of 16, lured by the dream of adventure on the high seas.
I rise today to commemorate the Canadian Naval Centennial. On this day in 1910 the Canadian navy came into existence when the Naval Service Bill received royal assent under the leadership of Wilfrid Laurier. Two old cruisers, HMCS Niobe and HMCS Rainbow, were purchased and the naval college was opened in Halifax.
At the beginning of the second world war, Canada had only 13 ships. By the end of the war, the Canadian navy had the third-largest fleet in the world, with more than 400 ships.
Each year we commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic, during which our ships escorted supply convoys to Europe under the constant threat of German submarines.
We can all be proud of our Canadian navy. It will continue to serve us proudly and with distinction around the globe.
As we in the senior service are proud to say, ready, aye, ready.