moved for leave to introduce Bill C-214, An Act respecting the friendship between Canada and the Netherlands.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in the House to introduce legislation to make May 5 maple leaf and tulip day. As we all know, there is a tremendous relationship between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Dominion of Canada. We have over 5,700 Canadians buried on Dutch soil.
I am proud to say that the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Wim Geerts, is very close by, along with the ambassador to the Hague. They are both here to witness this historic opportunity to make May 5, in continuity, maple leaf and tulip day to show the continuing friendship between the Netherlands and Canada.
There are now one million Canadians of Dutch descent in Canada. We are slowly taking over. As we say, “If you're not Dutch, you're not much”.
So, Gouda cheese and Heineken for everyone. Let us hope we pass this bill as quickly as humanly possible.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)