Home Newsroom 2004 Speeches (archive) McLellan: 2004-09-26

Canadian Police and Peace Officers' Memorial Service

Speaking notes for
The Honourable Anne McLellan

Ottawa, Ontario
September 26, 2004

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Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. It is an honour to welcome you, on behalf of the Government of Canada, to this morning’s memorial service.

This is an important and solemn occasion; it is our opportunity to pay tribute to the police and peace officers who we have lost in the line of duty. We come together to commemorate their invaluable contributions, unquestioned devotion and ultimate sacrifice.

It takes enormous commitment to act as an officer of the law – to dedicate oneself to upholding our core Canadian values of integrity, honesty, compassion and respect.

As Minister of Justice and now Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, I have had the opportunity to work with police and peace officers and learn first hand the sacrifices they must make.

I want to underscore that I appreciate, as do all Canadians, the risks and challenges that police and peace officers face each day as they leave the comfort of their homes and families to serve Canadians.

To the families of the fallen officers who are here today – and indeed to families of police and peace officers everywhere – I say thank you. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made, and the support you have given to the men and women who protect our homes and our communities. The danger they face is very real. And as we see today, the sacrifice is sometimes far too great.

The officers we are honouring today gave their lives to protect ours. For this, they must not be forgotten.

On behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians, I salute all of our heroes. We honour your bravery and will not forget you.

Thank you.