Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to be able to rise and address what I believe is a very important issue. First, let me start off by acknowledging the incredible work that the current members of our forces do today. They provide a sense of security for our nation, and they are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.
I had the opportunity to serve in the Canadian Forces back in the eighties, and one of the most touching moments of my career back then was the Remembrance Day parades. I had the opportunity to march side by side with World War II veterans. After those marches, it often led to going to a local community where individuals would share some of their stories, along with, maybe, a little bit of alcohol. Some of the stories involved the experiences that they actually had during World War II. If people really want to get a sense of the emotions and the trauma and the horrors of war, they should talk to a veteran who has actually served and had to go on combat missions. It will bring one to tears, whether it is the prisoners of war, those who have lost their lives in war or those who have been injured in war.
During my time in the forces, I had many opportunities. That is the reason why I would pay tribute to our current members and recognize those who have served in the past. I look forward to seeing the growth in the number of people who want to join the forces.
I was encouraged that, last year, we actually had a record number of Canadians wanting to become members of the Canadian Armed Forces. I believe it has a lot to do with what the Prime Minister and the government have done to reinforce the importance of the Canadian Forces, whether it is providing pay increases or supporting the military in many different ways, ultimately achieving 2% of Canada's GDP, with a commitment to grow beyond that to 3.5% and ultimately hit 5%, being a full participant in the United Nations.
We take the issue of our forces very seriously. We take the issue of our veterans very seriously. I was very upset, for example, when the previous administration actually cut and closed nine veterans offices. That is why I did take it personally when members opposite, just the other day, tried to give a false impression about the Brandon office. That Brandon veterans office is open. It is open today. Members should know that, and they should not be telling veterans otherwise.
Let me focus some attention on Afghanistan and how Canadians really appreciate and love the manner in which our forces conducted themselves in what was the longest engagement of our Canadian Forces. The men and women of the forces did us proud. They gave in many ways. I believe about 150 lives were lost, and 2,000‑plus were injured in different ways. I would like to think that every member of the House recognizes the sacrifice that was made.
That is the reason why the government wants to not only support and see this advisory committee struck but actually implement it in a tangible way. The motion for the concurrence in the report that the member brought forward, quite frankly, is going to receive unanimous support. We could have done that in the form of a simple motion that would reinforce just how important our veterans are, who have sacrificed so much for our great nation.
We need to recognize the importance of the Canadian Victoria Cross, which was established back in 1993. The fact that it has not been awarded challenges a lot of us to think about why that is the case. I think there are people here in Canada who are best equipped to do the research that is necessary and ensure that this most honourable medal is actually awarded where the circumstances allow it to be. I would like to think that the desire of every member of Parliament is to see the Victoria Cross awarded. I believe the Canadian Victoria Cross is something we should all be proud of. I look forward to seeing and hearing about the future recipients of this award. That is why establishing an independent review board is of the utmost importance.
It is great to have a debate. I would have loved to have a debate on this in the form of a take-note debate or even an opposition day, so we could have a full day of debate, with a motion at the very end. That would be very clear and decisive. It would show clear support for our veterans and those who are in our Canadian Forces. Having said that, I can assure members who are here, and those who are following the debate, that whether it is the Prime Minister or any other member of the House of Commons, the veterans have the unanimous support of the House of Commons in recognizing the importance of the Canadian Victoria Cross.
We want to see that independent review board put in place. There has to be a process in order to do that. We need to recognize, as an example, that anyone who sits on that review board will have to gain some form of a top security clearance because they are going to have to review the circumstances. I know first‑hand that when dealing with some of the stories that take place in a war zone, where deaths and injuries are involved, there are stories that once heard, cannot be unheard. They will become a permanent memory for individuals. This is not something where we can just click our heels and put the board together tomorrow. We have to make sure that it is done in a proper process. The right people have to be brought in for the independent review board. We are committed to doing that. I would like to think that every member of the House would recognize that.
When I think of the issues that we are facing today in our Canadian Forces, I want our veterans to know very clearly that the Government of Canada, from the Prime Minister to the cabinet to every Liberal member of Parliament, has their backs. We will continue to have their backs. We understand the role that they have played in building our country into what it is today, and we will continue to be there in every way for our veterans. We will continue to support our current members of the Canadian Forces, and we will always acknowledge and recognize those who have served in the past. This is one of the ways we can do so.
I hope and believe that this motion, which I understand was unanimously passed in the standing committee, will also be unanimously passed here, on the floor of the House of Commons. I look forward to ultimately seeing the first recipient, whoever that may be, of the Canadian Victoria Cross.