Thank you, Shelly, for that kind introduction. Thank you to Suzanne Sarault for serving as our emcee today. Greetings to Chief of Defence Staff General Lawson, to Chief Warrant Officer West, to ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, to my colleagues from the Parliament of Canada, Royal Galipeau and Pierre Lemieux, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, honoured veterans and families, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, will join dignitaries from around the world at ceremonies in Belgium marking the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War on Monday, August 4, 2014.
North Vancouver, British Columbia -Parm Gill, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, along with Andrew Saxton, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, will make an important announcement.
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird issued the following statement:
"I am deeply saddened by the loss of life, injuries and damage that have occurred as a result of the recent earthquake in Yunnan, China.
On behalf of hard-working Canadians, businesses and stakeholders that will not benefit from the economic growth, jobs and opportunities generated by the successful implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), I wish to express Canada's disappointment on the failure to reach an agreement. We believe this result is a loss for all WTO members.
The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, will visit the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 to announce Government of Canada support for a multi-year commemorative project honouring the sacrifices of Canadians in the Ypres Salient, an area in Belgium which was the scene of some of the biggest battles in the First World War.
