Executive Council
November 17, 2014
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:
A Moment of Silence
Mr. Speaker, on June 4, the day before the House adjourned, police officers were targeted while on duty in the city of Moncton, New Brunswick. Two RCMP officers were injured, and three lost their lives: Constable David Ross, Constable Fabrice Georges Gevaudan, and Constable Douglas James Larche. I had the honour of attending their funeral service on behalf of the government and people of Newfoundland and Labrador – a day I will not soon forget. Sadly and tragically, others who serve to protect us here in Canada have also lost their lives in the months since then.
On the morning of the 20th of October, a Warrant Officer with 28 years of service in the Canadian Forces, Patrice Vincent, was targeted in Quebec while walking in uniform with a fellow Canadian Forces soldier. He was deliberately attacked and murdered on a public street.
Two days later, on the morning of the 22nd of October, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, a 24-year-old Canadian Forces Reservist, was targeted while on ceremonial sentry duty at the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa. He was approached from behind, while carrying out a most honourable function in recognition of those who have paid the supreme sacrifice. He, too, was targeted and another young life was lost.
In the days that followed, and especially on the 11th of November, Canadians in record numbers stepped out of their homes with poppies over their hearts to visit war memorials in their communities, to honour these soldiers and to remember the many, many thousands of others who stepped forward and made grave sacrifices to protect us.
Mr. Speaker, like all other Canadians, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are feeling a wide range of emotions as they reflect on these events: anger that anyone would commit such heinous acts; grief that precious lives have been taken from those who loved them; but also tremendous gratitude, pride and unshaken resolve not to surrender our security and freedom to those who threaten it.
We in this House are elected collectively to represent all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. I believe it would be fitting for all of us to rise on behalf of our province in a moment of silence to honour Warrant Officer Vincent, Corporal Cirillo, Constable Ross, Constable Gevaudan, Constable Larche, and the multitude of others who have served and sacrificed for the rights and privileges we enjoy. I would ask, Mr. Speaker, that after all of us as caucus leaders have spoken, you would lead us in marking a moment of silence in honour of those we remember today. Thank you.
2014 11 17 3:50 p.m.