OTTAWA, Aug. 9, 2016 /CNW/ - The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, today issued the following statement to recognize National Peacekeepers' Day:
"For decades, Canada has played a role as a peacekeeping nation. Today, we express our gratitude and thank the more than 125,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and municipal police services, and Canadian civilians who have served and are serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world.
"August 9 was chosen as National Peacekeepers' Day to honour the nine Canadian Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives on August 9, 1974, when their aircraft was shot down over Syria—our biggest single loss in a peacekeeping mission. On the anniversary of this tragic day, we pause to think of those nine brave Canadians, and all Canadians who have served and sacrificed in support of peace, and of their families.
"Canada, with its broad expertise in peacekeeping, can and must play a larger role in peace operations. Our Canadian peacekeepers, be they military, police or civilian personnel, make us proud. While honouring the past, we remember Lester B. Pearson's vision and look ahead to the future."
SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada
Contacts: Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468; Media Relations, Department of National Defence, Phone: 613-996-2353, Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811, Email: [email protected]
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