Mr. Speaker, my mother was born in Chesterfield Inlet and was raised in the Arctic, as my grandparents worked for the Hudson Bay Company.
For me and all Canadians, one of the great mysteries in Canada's history was the tragic loss of the ships in the Franklin expedition, in 1846. This mystery has been wrapped in the icy waters of Canada's Arctic for more than 160 years. Earlier this month, a large clue to this national mystery was revealed with the finding of one of Sir John Franklin's ships.
Where many have failed, we are fortunate to have succeeded. The discovery would not have been possible without our modern technology, skilled archaeologists, hardy crews, and the oral history of the Inuit, the same people who have inhabited these lands since time began.
Canadians are thankful to all those who contributed to this noble and important endeavour. While questions remain about the Franklin expedition, today there can be no question about the Arctic and Canada. Since the beginning, the Arctic has been an integral part of Canada, and forever shall it be the true north, strong and free.