Blake Richards

Mr. Speaker, on June 12, Filipinos worldwide celebrate Philippine Independence Day. As we celebrate, we recognize the rich history, culture and enduring spirit. Filipino Canadians have made remarkable contributions in every field, from health care and education to business, the public service and the arts, and certainly to charitable initiatives, helping to strengthen and enrich our country. At the same time, we acknowledge the grief that many are experiencing following this week's devastating earthquake in Mindanao. Our prayers are with those who have been affected, and we stand in solidarity with those mourning and rebuilding. Being married to a Filipina myself, I have seen first hand the values of hard work, resilience and commitment to family and community that define Filipino culture and enrich Canada. The day also reminds us of the value of freedom that inspired the Philippines' independence movement and continues to inspire people everywhere. On behalf of Canada's Conservatives, I wish all Filipinos a happy independence day, and I look forward to joining in tomorrow's celebrations. Maraming Salamat. Mabuhay.

Mr. Speaker, by moving this motion, the government is shutting down debate about the very underpinnings of our democracy: our elections. There are a number of concerns that I could have raised. There are some positive things in here. For example, when it comes to foreign influence, there are some positive steps, but it still remains open in terms of so-called third parties being able to bring in foreign influence to engage in partisan activity. Does the member find it ironic that the government is shutting down debate on the very underpinnings of our democracy in an anti-democratic way like this?

moved that the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, presented on April 30, be concurred in. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in unity with veterans from all across Canada who have been tirelessly fighting to right a historical wrong. For too long, veterans have faced these kinds of issues where, first of all, they deal with a cold and heartless bureaucracy. Second, they struggle to even have recognition of their service from government. The Persian Gulf War veterans and the Afghan war veterans are looking for recognition that they fought a war and cannot seem to find that from the current government. They attended what seemed to be a hastily put together groundbreaking for an Afghan war monument that was mired in scandal, and they felt like they were an afterthought at the ceremony. These are the kinds of things that we are seeing, and this is another example of exactly that. What we are talking about today is giving Canadians some inspiration and some hope. In Canada, there are a lot of problems that our country faces right now, and especially young Canadians. They look at their future and they do not see a lot of hope. They know when they look at their future that hope does not come from the government. It is not going to be the government that gets us out of this mess, at least not the current government. However, Canadians have the intuition, the skills and the heart to rebuild Canada as the same great nation that we inherited from generations past. Inspiration is needed and many people are seeking inspiration right now. We look at our veterans, and they are the type of people whom we need to see and draw that inspiration from. Veterans are ordinary men and women from all across Canada, from coast to coast to coast, who signed on the line and deployed into some of the most hostile and remote places all around the world. Everywhere a Canadian steps around this world, they carry with them the best values of our people: a love of freedom, a love of democracy and a love of justice. Nowhere did the example of the maple leaf shine brighter than it did in the mountains and deserts of Afghanistan. A land torn by centuries of conflict predating our nation was introduced to a multitude of Canadian actions. The people of Afghanistan were met with Canadian generosity with millions of dollars in aid. The people of Afghanistan were met with Canadian ingenuity as schools, institutions and infrastructure were built by Canadians. In the deserts and mountains of Afghanistan, the Taliban forces met Canadian ferocity. Canadian soldiers from decorated battalions across our country brought the fight to the enemy and dismantled it in every engagement that they had. Finally, the people of Afghanistan were also met with Canadian mercy. Wounded members of the Taliban were often treated and saved by Canadian medical crews and spared the cruelty that is often visited upon captives in times of war. In the Afghan villages where children lived in fear, the maple leaf on the shoulders of our men and women stood defiantly against evil. These ordinary men and women joined the forces and became extraordinary. They showed us as a nation that even when faced with discomfort, hostility and, yes, evil, Canadians can rise as heroes and fight back. The youth in Canada today desperately need heroes. They need Canadians to look up to with pride. They need role models to emulate. These heroes do not wear suits and sit here in Ottawa. They walk quietly as silent heroes among us every single day. Let us raise cases of extraordinary bravery and exceptional character for this generation, to show them that there is still some good in this world and it is still worth fighting for. Let us raise heroes like Jess Larochelle. Jess Larochelle was a Canadian who joined the Canadian Armed Forces at the height of the war in Afghanistan. Just a young man, he was sent overseas to fight those responsible for terrorizing not only the people of Afghanistan but also people around the world through horrific attacks like those witnessed on September 11, 2001. It was in Afghanistan where Jess Larochelle made his mark on Canadian history. Facing an unrelenting Taliban attack on his unit, Jess Larochelle manned a lone position and drove back the enemy, fighting exhaustion, fear and severe injuries. It is a fact that during this fight, Jess was nearly struck by a rocket-propelled grenade that detonated on a wall of his tower, severely injuring him. Jess had a detached retina, a fractured neck, a broken back, massive internal bleeding and a severe concussion. Despite all of this, he continued fighting, drove back the Taliban assault and saved many of his comrades. Unfortunately, Jess's brothers in arms, Blake Williamson and Darcy Tedford, were killed in this attack, and it was only after Jess helped to carry their coffins into a plane headed back to Canada that Jess finally presented himself for some medical attention. Members should think about that, about what he went through and what he dealt with. Jess was only a young man, 24 years old, when he sustained those injuries, and he carried them for the rest of his life. Unfortunately, Canada lost one of its heroes when Jess passed away in August 2023 due to complications from his injuries. Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole brought a motion to this House that called for the creation of a military honours review board. Unfortunately, that motion was defeated by the government back then, but now there is a renewed interest, thanks in large part to the work of Bruce Moncur and others who are involved with an organization called Valour in the Presence of the Enemy. While Jess was awarded the Star of Military Valour, he was passed over for Canada's highest honour, the Canadian Victoria Cross. Since the inception of this medal, it has never been awarded. There are many Canadians who wish to see this changed, to ensure that our veterans are properly recognized for their deeds of courage. There have now been several provincial legislatures that have voted in support of the creation of a military honours review board, including Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. It is clear that public sentiment on this is that we need to see it happen. Conservatives have been proud to stand with veterans on this issue since day one. We will not allow this issue to rest until it is seen through. The arguments for this review board do not just end with individual examples and historical anecdotes, but also with real-world examples to compare ourselves to. Many of our allies have issued the equivalent of their Victoria Cross to their soldiers. The United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, Australia, Italy and New Zealand have all issued their highest awards of valour to members of their militaries for actions taken in Afghanistan, and that is despite the fact that several of these nations committed fewer personnel to the war and saw less fighting than Canadians. There is also testimony of retired general Rick Hillier, who was chief of the defence staff and chair of the honours committee when the case of Jess Larochelle came through. General Hillier is a great and well-respected man, but by his own admission, a mistake may have been made when deciding the award for Jess Larochelle. Canada was newly at war in Afghanistan at the time, and the committee was reluctant to give the award as a result, because its members did not know what would ensue, so the Victoria Cross was spared for an event that did not come. Additionally, it took several years for all of the details to come out and to talk more about the battle that Jess fought with the Taliban. Over time, these details emerged, but there was no ability to change the award that had already been given. This example is one that cries for change; it cries for justice. If mistakes were made and new details are brought to light, then mere policy should not stand in the way of honouring a war hero. This past week, the government responded to a petition put forward by the member for Nipissing—Timiskaming, and indicated that it is open to examining the formation of this board. The Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, of course, has thrown its support behind this issue, as has the Senate, and we wait for the final and most important step now, which is taking the action that is necessary. All of this effort over the years cannot be in vain. All of the lives touched by the story of Jess Larochelle are inspired, and inspiration is what Canada needs right now. Let us celebrate and enshrine the stories of our national heroes. Let us raise our children with the tales of bravery and sacrifice. The ball is now in the government's court. It has publicly signalled openness to this cause. We thank it for that, but now we eagerly await the details on how and when this review board will be formed, and when the historic injustice can finally be addressed. However, I beg the government to not make Canadians wait for long. The great author and evangelist C.S. Lewis once said, “Since it is so likely that (children) will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.” Since it is so likely that Canadian children will grow up facing hardships and hearing of evil in the world, let them at least have heard of brave soldiers and their heroic deeds. Let them at least have heard of Jess Larochelle and the fighting Canadians. I will note at this moment that I will be splitting my time with the member for Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, and I want to just conclude in French. I want to, if I can, speak to Quebec. I hope that the government will not make Canadians wait too long before it finally takes action. The great author and evangelist C.S. Lewis once said, “Since—

Madam Speaker, the apology needs to come from that member and his government because, I can tell members right now, what they did there is very hypocritical. That office is, in fact, closed and has been closed. Not only that, but essentially every office in this country is closed to veterans because what happens now is they must go online and make an appointment. If they just show up at an office, they cannot be received by Veterans Affairs. Many veterans also reported to us that just because maybe one time they got a little frustrated, because they had waited months and years to get action, they were told they can never speak to another Veterans Affairs employee again. The only person who owes an apology is that member, and his government, for what the government does to veterans.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague. The great author and evangelist C.S. Lewis once said, “Since it is so likely that [children] will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.” Since it is so likely that Canadian children will grow up facing hardships and hearing about evil in the world, let them at least have heard about brave soldiers and their heroic deeds. Let them at least have heard about Jess Larochelle and Canadian soldiers.