Mr. Speaker, today I rise not to pay tribute to the good people of Skeena—Bulkley Valley but to salute a group of remarkable Albertans.
After the tragic and violent events of last week, two fatal attacks on Canadian soldiers and an assault here in Parliament itself, there was a callow and racist attack on a mosque in Cold Lake, Alberta.
When the mosque windows were shattered, the proud people of this community came together to repair them. Citizens, military personnel and civic officials brought paint, brushes and ladders to cover up the hateful graffiti that had screamed, “Go home”.
A member of the local mosque, Mahmoud Elkadri said, “When I came this morning...I felt the support of Cold Lake.... I am in my country, in my home”.
In such times we are all laid bare and our true selves are shown. The people of Cold Lake met hate with kindness; ignorance they faced with love. We say thanks to these people in Cold Lake who showed us the very best of this country.