Mr. Speaker, today marks the start of national public safety telecommunicators week. It is a week to honour the dedicated 911 communicators who serve as the calm, steady voices behind the line during some of the most terrifying moments of a person's life. These professionals are often the first responders in an emergency. They listen to things that no one else will ever hear: the raw panic in a parent's voice, the final breaths of a loved one and the heartbreaking sobs of a family facing unimaginable grief. They carry a heavy emotional burden, yet after a difficult call, they take a deep breath, compose themselves and answer the next call with the same compassion, focus and professionalism.
Every 911 communicator across this country should know how much they are appreciated. Their compassion, their courage and their steady presence in people's darkest moments matter more than they will ever know. We see the difficult work they do, we respect the weight they carry every shift and we are truly, deeply grateful.