Moncton, New Brunswick - 10 June 2014
Check against delivery
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today delivered the following remarks during the Regimental Funeral for Constables Dave Ross, Fabrice Gevaudan, and Douglas Larche:
“Your Excellencies Governor General and Sharon Johnston, colleagues from both Houses and both sides of the aisle of the Parliament of Canada, Your Honour Lieutenant Governor Nicholas, Premier Alward and distinguished guests from all levels of government from around New Brunswick and from across the country, Commissioner Paulson and officers from across the country and from across our continent, ladies and gentlemen.
“This is an occasion of profound sadness and a time of searing grief.
“I know that this grief is shared by all Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
“But nowhere is it more profoundly felt than here in Moncton.
“And to none more so than the families of the three fine officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, lost last week in the line of duty.
“To you, the families of Constable Dave Joseph Ross, Constable Fabrice Georges Gevaudan and Constable Douglas James Larche.
“They were your husbands, fathers, sons and brothers.
“And they leave you – wives, children, parents, siblings – struggling with unspeakable pain.
“Laureen and I offer you the only thing we can, our family’s deepest personal condolences.
“Also, to Officers Darlene Goguen and Eric Dubois, wounded during these events, we wish you a speedy and full recovery.
“All of you, families, are in our thoughts and prayers.
“And thank you, all of you, families and friends, for sharing your memories, your stories and your love for our fallen heroes.
“Together, we struggle for answers.
“We ask, ‘What in God’s name happened here? And why?’
“We may never know.
“When we search for reason and meaning in actions so intrinsically vile and senseless, we search in unlikely places.
“Of course, the justice system will do its work: the facts will be established and a verdict delivered.
“But let me tell you this: with three men dead, cut down in their prime, doing their sworn duty to serve and protect their neighbours, we do not need a verdict to know that what happened here is an outrage.
“Because my friends by its very nature, the murder of those sworn to uphold the law, those who donned their uniforms day in and day out to keep our streets safe, is an attack not only on them but upon all of us – on our families, on our communities, on our neighbours, upon our very society itself.
“That is why I want to thank the people of Moncton for being here, for coming together on this difficult day for their city, for their country.
“That’s why the thoughts and prayers of all Canadians are with us now, to show our support and our solidarity with the men and women who have taken an oath to serve and protect.
“That is the understanding between us: their service, our support.
“By your joining together here today, we reaffirm that commitment, we reclaim that trust, we honour that bond.
“And I thank you for that, all of you, on behalf of all Canadians.
“It is just one more such noble act by the people of Moncton, for with your city locked down, your schools and businesses unable to operate, you exhibited resilience and fortitude.
“You kept watch; you reported what you saw.
“You assisted the authorities in any way you could.
“In a time of trauma, you were brave.
“And now, in a time of grief, you have stepped forward to start the healing.
“Above all my friends, you have not surrendered to fear and distrust.
“That is Moncton, New Brunswick, a great city in a great province that I am proud to call my ancestral home, a proud part of our great country.
“For I believe what happened here proves of our society, of our Canada, the opposite of everything it intended.
“Faced with lawlessness, Canadians embrace civic duties.
“Faced with hate and violence, we embrace each other.
“So stand with those who stand on guard for you.
“Keep faith with the thin blue line because it is upon the shoulders of our men and women in uniform that we place the confidence for peace in our neighbourhoods and the security of our families.
“They serve us well.
“God bless them all.
“God bless you all.
“God bless especially the families of our fallen.
“May His light shine upon you and bring you comfort in the days to come.”
