Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise and mark World Teachers' Day. This day of recognition is an initiative put forward by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, and is held annually on October 5. The purpose of this day is appreciating, assessing, and improving the educators of the world.
This year's theme, “Valuing teachers, improving their status”, compels us to examine and resolve the problems that directly affect teachers, the people to whom we entrust our children's education. That really is something we need to think about because, all too often, the people who have dedicated themselves to this profession in Canada do not get the same level of respect as their counterparts elsewhere in the world.
Thank goodness for French teachers.
To the teachers in my community of London North Centre, I thank them for all that they do. I also commend the more than 40 members of the Liberal caucus who are teachers. We are a team committed to education and educators.