Mr. Speaker, Canada is home to the second-largest Hungarian diaspora in the western world next to the United States.
In October of 1956, inspired by hope and a deep desire for freedom, my family joined with thousands of others in Hungary in a revolution against the bonds of Communist oppression.
The revolution was extinguished by Soviet tanks. People were slaughtered, and justice was suppressed for decades.
It is a history I share with my son, Jeffrey.
Some of my family were imprisoned, owing to mistaken identity, for days; some fortunate members of my family were able to immediately flee to France, the United States, and Canada; some of my family members had to endure decades of Soviet oppression until they could get out.
I am so fortunate to have been born in Canada, where the values of human rights and the rule of law are deeply rooted in our country's foundation.
This Wednesday was also the fiftieth anniversary of the selection of our new Canadian flag. For my family, our flag is a proud symbol of freedom. Under this flag, may we reaffirm our love for this country and reflect upon the opportunities afforded equally to all Canadians in “the True North strong and free”.