Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture)
Confederation Park
Ottawa, Ontario
February 16, 2011
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Thank you Commander Boettger.
Fellow Parliamentarians,
Mr. Mills,
Mrs. Lemay,
General Deschamps,
Mr. Guy Parent, Veterans Ombudsman,
Deputy Minister, Suzanne Tining.
Good evening.
Just look at the evidence of the wonderful partnership Veterans Affairs Canada enjoys with the National Capital Commission!
We cherish this relationship and it pleases me to see how far the NCC goes creatively-and artistically-each year to honour our Veterans and our men and women in uniform.
This year, we would like to highlight the story of women in the Canadian Forces. A story that is so rich it is difficult to capture in a few short words and images. Nonetheless, with these lovely sculptures, we pay tribute to our female Canadian Forces members and Veterans.
We are lucky to live in a country that advocates equality and respect for the individual; a country that encourages women to achieve their dreams and goals.
This is particularly true in the role of women in the military. While in the past, women traditionally played supporting roles, today they stand on the frontlines, shoulder to shoulder with their male colleagues to promote Canada's values of freedom, democracy and rule of law.
It must be said loud and clear. Women have always played and continue to play an important role in the safety and security of our nation.
Let's take a look at our history.
Women first took to the battlefield during the Northwest Rebellion of 1885, nursing the wounded.
As Nursing Sisters during the First and Second World Wars, they were there with our soldiers. They sacrificed their lives and left the comforts of their homes to come to the aid of those who needed medical attention or a human touch.
Their service and their sacrifice are depicted in the focal point of this year's ice sculpture which replicates the Nursing Sisters' Memorial located in the Hall of Honour in Centre Block on Parliament Hill.
Today, the Canadian Forces reports that women make up 15 per cent of our military; they now serve on the frontlines, maintain submarines, and operate communications lines and pilot fighter jets. The figures surrounding the memorial speak to women's modern roles in the air and on the land and sea. These women are a source of inspiration for a generation of young girls who wish to follow in their footsteps.
I am proud that we can honour them this year with our ice sculpture.
As you walk around this natural museum of sculptures, I invite you to take a moment to think about the women who inspired this memorial.
Think of women like Betty Brown of Ottawa. Betty survived the sinking of her ship off the coast of Italy and "soldiered on" to set up a makeshift hospital in Sicily. Think of women like Major Dee Brasseur who is here this evening and is one of Canada's first female fighter jet pilots.
Think of women like Captain Nichola Goddard-the first Canadian female combat soldier to die in combat and who is buried at Canada's National Military Cemetery here in Ottawa.
This morning I had the honour of attending an event at the Canadian War Museum where it was announced that a new hero-class Coast Guard vessel will be named after Captain Goddard. I had the pleasure of meeting Captain Goddard's mother and her sister. I am so pleased that they accepted my invitation to join us this evening.
Remember all of the women who blazed a trail so that Canadians could live in peace and harmony. And think of those women who are out there on the front lines tonight, here in Canada and around the world.
We will remember them.
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