Mr. Speaker, a piece of home for Canadians serving in Afghanistan is now coming home.
The Tim Hortons outlet at Kandahar airfield is closing after boosting soldiers' spirits for over five years. Civilian personnel hired by the Canadian Forces poured over four million coffees and half a million iced capps and served over three million doughnuts. Many of these civilians did multiple tours in Afghanistan.
The Tim Hortons on base provided a meeting place for soldiers from all nations. It was a place to sip on some coffee and have some good conversation. For many, it was a home away from home.
How many Canadians know this: all the proceeds from the Kandahar Tim Hortons went to support our troops and their families.
We salute and thank Tim Hortons for its support of our men and women in uniform.
We salute and thank the civilian personnel whose commitment made life a little easier for those for serve.
We salute and thank our brave men and women of the Canadian Forces who answer the call to duty each and every day.