Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Peter Poohkey of Airdrie, Alberta, on receiving the French Légion d'honneur.
The Légion d'honneur is France's highest honour, and it is being awarded to all living Canadian veterans of the second world war who participated in the D-Day landings and therefore contributed to the liberation of France.
This honour represents the unique and special relationship between France and Canada, which is based on the common values and the freedom that we defend.
I was honoured to join Mr. Peter Poohkey's proud family, his comrades at the Royal Canadian Legion Airdrie Branch No. 288, as well as his many friends from the Balzac United Church in celebrating this very prestigious honour on April 7.
I thank him and all of the other Canadian heroes who have served and sacrificed so that we could remain free.