Prime Minister Stephen Harper today delivered the following remarks at the Tribute to Liberty Dinner in Toronto:
“Thank you very much.
“Thank you, Senator Ngo for that kind introduction, and thank you all, ladies and gentlemen, for that very warm welcome.
“Distinguished guests, colleagues from the Parliament of Canada, ladies and gentlemen.
“We know the reason why we’re gathered together this evening, but let me briefly share with you the how.
“In 2008, Tribute to Liberty approached our Government with an idea and a question.
“First, the idea: to help construct a monument in our Nation’s Capital that would honour for all time the hundreds of millions of men, women and children who have struggled and continue to struggle against the tyranny of communism, those who lived and those who, tragically, did not.
“And second: would our Government work with them in carrying out this vision.
“Now you already know our answer.
“In 2010 in the Speech from the Throne, our Government made known our strong and clear support for Tribute to Liberty’s vision of a memorial to those who have suffered under communism.
“Let me take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to Tribute to Liberty, in particular, to you, Board Chair Klimkowski, to current Treasurer, past Chair Forstmanis, to the entire board, to all of the donors.
“The goal you have been working towards is important to Canadians, past and present, but it is especially so for future generations.
“For they must be forever reminded – forever – that the freedom and peace they stand to inherit was earned through struggle and sacrifice, and must always be cherished as a precious and unique thing.
“There are others who also deserve – some of my colleagues I know who also deserve – special thanks: Jason Kenney and the members of his team who have been invested in this project from the very beginning, John Baird, Shelly Glover, Senator Linda Frum, certainly Senator Yonah Kim-Martin, Senator Ngo, and of course my thanks to each and every one of you, because I know each and every one here has been a supporter.
“Thank you for your generous and ongoing support.
“And give all the organizers a very big hand for what they’ve done.
“Now friends, our work is nearly done.
“In fact, the Jury will be selecting the winning monument design team in a matter of months.
“And so, as they – as you – carry out this noble task, know that you have the admiration and appreciation of Canadians.
“For you mark a chapter in human history that is truly harrowing.
“During the 20th century, communism’s poisonous ideology and ruthless practice slowly bled into countries all around the world, on almost every continent.
“The result was nothing short of catastrophic.
“More than one hundred million souls were lost, an almost incomprehensible number.
“We must never forget that these are not numbers, they are not statistics.
“They were mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, friends and neighbours.
“Their futures, their potential, their hopes and dreams, were stolen from them.
“Our hearts break for those who suffered and we mourn for those who were crushed.
“In Canada, we feel this pain so acutely because nearly one quarter of all Canadians were either held captive by communism’s chains or are the sons and daughters of those who were.
“Indeed, throughout the 20th century, Canada became a haven for those fleeing communist governments, as Robert described to us, and a new home to those who wanted to live in freedom.
“And so, over nearly 100 years they came – your grandparents, mothers and fathers, uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters – you came, from Russia, Estonia, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Cambodia, the former Czechoslovakia, the former Yugoslavia, the former East Germany – I could go on – Vietnam, China, North Korea, Cuba, Albania and others.
“And when these freedom-seekers arrived, many having risked their lives to get here, instead of communism’s oppression, they found Canadian safety.
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