To the member for Elgin–Middlesex–London: Yes, 12 years ago today, I was on Juno Beach with the 1st Hussars. Thanks for reminding me about that.

My statement today is important, as well. It’s celebrating the initiative of June 1, when we kicked off ALS day. The month of June is officially ALS Awareness Month in Canada. I’m proud to show my support today for the approximately 3,000 Canadians living with this devastating disease.

ALS is a relentlessly progressive, fatal motor neuron disease that eventually leads to the loss of the ability to move, speak and breathe. This disease can move with startling swiftness. Four out of five people die within two to five years of their diagnosis. The compounding impact on families emotionally, financially and psychologically is tremendous. The people and families affected by ALS measure time not by months or years but by loss—loss of function and loss of life.

As members of this Legislature, we have an opportunity throughout June to show our support for people living with ALS across Canada and demonstrate leadership on important health issues that affect this community.

I want to extend my best wishes to the Canadian ALS community for June ALS Awareness Month and acknowledge the tremendous work done by the ALS Society of Canada to change what it means to live with this unrelenting disease.

I encourage everyone to take the time to learn more about this devastating disease and how you can make a difference in the lives of people living with ALS. Learn more about ALS at www.als.ca.

Now is the time to work together towards a future without ALS.

I’d like to welcome John and Mac Barry to Queen’s Park today from London, Ontario.