moved for leave to introduce Bill C-252, An Act respecting a national day of remembrance to honour Canadian Armed Forces members who have lost their lives in peacetime in Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to introduce the peacetime service and sacrifice memorial day act. Today marks 11 years since Corporal Nathan Cirillo was shot and killed while standing guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, and Monday marked 11 years since Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent was killed by a vehicular attack while on duty in Quebec.
Since 1914, an estimated 2,000 Canadian Armed Forces members have lost their lives in non-combat roles on Canadian soil during peacetime. I will take the time to extend condolences to each and every one of their family members.
This bill aims to honour these Canadian Armed Forces members, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country. This bill proposes that October 22 become known as peacetime service and sacrifice memorial day and that the national flag of Canada on the Peace Tower be lowered to half-mast on this day.
I would like to thank the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie for seconding this bill. I would also like to thank the former member for Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, Alistair MacGregor, who tabled this bill in the last Parliament.
I am honoured to carry this bill forward, and I hope all members of this House will support it.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)