July 20, 2007
Check Against Delivery
Minister Fortier,
Major General Semianiw,
Brigadier General Barabé,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure for me to be back at the Collège
Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean this morning.
Since becoming Minister of National Defence, I’ve travelled all over
the country, and when I come back to the same place a second time, it’s
because I have good news. Like today.
The new government of Canada made a commitment
to rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Prime Minister of Canada has
enstrusted me with this important mission.
The previous government slashed and
cut blindly throughout the Forces. In Saint-Jean, as elsewhere, the wounds
are still painful. Our government has taken several initiatives to re-equip
our soldiers so that they can carry out the missions their country has entrusted
to them.
I am here today to redress a grievous wrong committed by the previous
government.
I remember the 1994 federal budget. I was a member of the Forces
at the time, and I can tell you that a chill ran down our collective spine
when it was announced that the Royal Military College in Saint-Jean would be
closed.
For half a century, the CMR was the top training facility for our
very best recruits wishing to complete their studies in French. Numerous military
traditions began here.
The Royal Canadian Regiment was assembled here; the Vandoos
got their start right here; and the Royal Canadian Dragoons, the regiment I
belonged to, was based here for a number of years.
The year 1995 opened a dark
chapter in the history of the CMR. The government of the day shut down the
Collège Saint-Jean and ended a long tradition
of military education.
This morning, I can tell you that that is going to change.
I am pleased to announce today that the Collège Militaire Royal de
Saint-Jean will re-open.
I’m thrilled to announce today the re-establishing of the Collège
Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean.
Over the next two decades we estimate that National Defence will invest 200
million dollars in the operation of the Collège. Among other things,
the number of students, instructors and military personnel will be increased.
I realize that the destiny of this prestigious school has remained an unfulfilled
dream for so many of you here today, as it has for our greater Canadian military
family.
I want to pay tribute to the determination of the elected municipal officials
for their unfailing, unflagging love for and belief in their Collège.
I also want to salute the work of the Corporation Fort Saint-Jean: the site
is as beautiful as it is today thanks to the people of the Corporation. Thank
you.
Like you, we want to restore the Collège to its former pride and
glory, as it deserves. From now on, this will be a place of learning of the
highest quality, one that is dedicated to the instruction of our future soldiers
from all over Canada who want to study in French.
This reopening is significant
for a number of reasons. For one thing, because the Canadian Forces are growing.
Recruitment is going very well, especially in Quebec. And for another, because
we are serious in our intention to comply with the Official Languages Act.
The
Collège Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean, in addition to contributing
to the noble tradition of developing bilingual officers, will offer at some
point next year a two-year college-level training program.
But above all, this reopening makes it possible to restore military tradition
to the Collège de Saint-Jean.
The Collège Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean is not picking up where it
left off in 1995; this is a new beginning that will enable it to develop over
the years to come.
The Collège is a jewel in the crown of our military heritage. It will
contribute, as it did once before, to the growth of the Canadian Forces and
to the city of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
The Collège Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean is back!
CMR is back!
Thank you.
