Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to rise today in the House of Commons to mark World Press Freedom Day. We are lucky here in Canada to enjoy a free press. Unfortunately, that is not the case for everyone around the world.
Many people still have to fight for freedom of speech and, by extension, freedom of the press. I would be remiss if I did not mention the courage and determination of Ensaf Haidar, a resident of Sherbrooke and the wife of blogger Raif Badawi, who, I would remind everyone, is still in a Saudi Arabian prison, simply for expressing his opinion. He has been there for too long. Ms. Haidar is in Ottawa today to mark this occasion.
On this special day, I would like to remind my parliamentary colleagues and all Canadians that we have a duty and a responsibility not only to protect fundamental rights on our soil, but also to act as leaders on the international scene in order to promote and guarantee those same rights all around the globe.
Happy World Press Freedom Day.