Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and the Conservative Party of Canada, released the following statement on Remembrance Day:
“At eleven o’clock this morning, Canadians across our country will fall silent: two minutes to remember generations of brave men and women who gave so much for the country we call home.
“From the trenches of the First World War to the battlefields of the Second, from Korea to the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan, and peacekeeping missions around the world. They were sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, friends and neighbours.
“Extraordinary Canadians who answered the call to serve.
“This year marks 25 years since Canada’s mission in Afghanistan began. More than 40,000 Canadians served and 158 members of our Armed Forces gave their lives.
“And this year, the cost of service has been brought painfully close to home. Just weeks ago, four Canadian soldiers lost their lives in a tragic training fire at CFB Wainwright. Dozens more were injured.
“Today, we mourn those we lost. We pray for those recovering, and for the families whose lives have been forever changed. Their sacrifice reminds us of the extraordinary risks our men and women in uniform accept, even in times of peace.
“So today, when the clock strikes eleven, wherever you are, I ask you to take those two minutes.
“Remember those who never came home. Honour those who did. And thank those who continue to serve.
“Because the country we love, and the freedoms we cherish, have been defended by generations of Canadians willing to put their lives on the line for all of us.
“We owe them our enduring gratitude.
“Lest we forget.”