Two Parliamentarians mention the Peace Train in the House of Commons






Two Parliamentarians mentioned the Peace Train in the House of Commons during the week of Nov. 18-22.

On Nov. 23, during his regular speaking time, Dave Epp (Chatham-Kent—Leamington, CPC), said: “Mr. Speaker, it is always an honour and a pleasure to bring the voices of Chatham-Kent—Leamington to this chamber.

“Before I get into the substance of my speech, I want to take a moment to recognize the efforts of 40 extraordinary Canadians, for that is truly what ordinary Canadians are, for bringing the peace train to Ottawa two nights ago. MPs from a cross-section of this chamber, representing a cross-section of philosophical paths to peace, from our military veterans and peacekeepers to our peaceniks, all agreed on the message represented by the peace train participants: that Canada should do more for peace in our world. 

“It has been said many times that war is a failure of statecraft. We thank these folks for reminding us to invest more, in many ways, for peace.” 

A day earlier, during question period on Nov. 21, Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, B.C., Green) also spoke about the Peace Train.

She asked: “Mr. Speaker, on November 15, the peace train pulled out of Vancouver station; a cross-country trip raising awareness for peace, disarmament and peacekeeping has now arrived in Ottawa. It asks parliamentarians to press the government: Will we re-establish a centre for excellence for peace and justice where the Pearson peace centre used to be? Will we increase our involvement as a country in peacekeeping and pressing for nuclear disarmament. For God's sake, will we give peace a chance?”

In reply, Bill Blair Minister of National Defence said: “Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands for her strong advocacy. Canada has long been a proud and significant contributor to United Nations peace operations. Most recently, we pledged $85 million over three years in continued support of global peacekeeping and peacebuilding. We have also extended and expanded the Elsie initiative to increase the participation of uniformed women in peacekeeping operations. We have renewed our commitment to providing tactical airlift support to UN peace operations, and we are exploring opportunities for a Canadian contribution of a quick reaction force.”

"It has been a great source of pride for all Canadians that the Canadian Armed Forces has always answered the call for peacekeeping operations.”

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