Mr. Speaker, this year, the Burnaby Hospice Society celebrates 40 years of caring for Burnaby. For me, this anniversary is deeply personal. My mom battled cervical cancer for three years. In the final months of her life, she received hospice care. It gave her comfort and peace. It also gave our family the strength to face the unimaginable. “Be a blessing to others” were my mom's final words before she passed away. They led me to a life of service and to the House.
Having witnessed the impact of hospice care first-hand, I know that hospice workers and volunteers cannot change what lies ahead, but they can ensure that no one walks their final journey alone.
I thank every staff member, volunteer, donor and supporter of the Burnaby Hospice Society. In the moments when a hand is held for the last time and a final goodbye is whispered, they are there. They remind us that the soul of a community is not how it celebrates life but how it cares for one another when life is drawing to a close.