Last week, the Thornhill Presbyterian Church celebrated their 175th anniversary, marking 175 years as a vibrant, multicultural and intergenerational congregation. From its humble beginnings on Yonge Street to its current location just down the road from my office, the church is a testament to a solid and historic area with almost two centuries of community stewardship.

Historically, picnics were literally gala events and one of the social highlights at the TPC. Football matches, bicycle races, strawberry socials—it all happened on the grounds.

This congregation played a pivotal role in the foundations leading to modern day Thornhill. In 1885, Toronto’s first commuter railway, the Metropolitan radial railway York-Simcoe, was opened just steps away from the church. If we look back as early as the 19th century, the location served as a critical junction for transportation. It was the natural pit stop for travellers moving north. A member of the congregation who also worked at the Ontario Department of Highways ensured that local pictures of the radial car included a photo of the church.

E.J. Sand elementary school was named after Eilert Sand, also a member and school superintendent back in the 1950s. His son Richard, who I’ve met, later when on to be a minister at the church.

There is so much history in Thornhill. As my father used to say, sometimes you have to look behind you before you know where you’re going.

Thank you, Reverend Heather and the congregation, for your hospitality as we celebrated 175 years at Thornhill Presbyterian. May there be 175 more.

I would like to thank my husband, Albert Wai, for 45 years of happy marriage. Happy anniversary, Albert.

Today, I rise to recognize a very special anniversary in my riding of Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. This past Saturday, Toniata Public School celebrated their 60th anniversary and I was pleased to attend the celebration with the current students, staff, faculty and alumni. There were 13 special speakers that shared remarks and memories, including Hugh Bates, who was the very first principal at that school in 1964. He also opened the school’s time capsule.

Speaker, I was even more thrilled to attend the celebration with two of my grandchildren, Mila and Georgy, who are proud Toniata Tigers. My wife, Deanna, and I were very proud that, in addition to Mila and Georgy, all five of our children attended this amazing school.

Speaker, the celebration was emotional, knowing that it’s Toniata’s final anniversary. At the end of the school year, Toniata will merge with Commonwealth Public School to form the brand new Swift Waters Elementary in Brockville, a state-of-the-art facility that will open its doors in September.

I want to congratulate Toniata’s principal Tania Stover and all the staff there for this amazing milestone in your history. I want to thank you for all the great things you do for our kids and our communities. I felt really privileged to be able to represent it.

Happy anniversary, Toniata Public School.

It’s an honour to rise today to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal moment in Canadian and world history.

On June 6, 1944, British, American and Canadian troops stormed the beaches of Normandy in the largest seaborne military invasion in history, which played a central role in ending the Second World War and the march of tyranny across Europe.

Canadian soldiers, sailors and aviators were instrumental in D-Day’s operation. Some 14,000 Canadians bravely landed on Juno Beach and pushed further inland than any of the Allied forces. Their bravery and sacrifice played a critical role in the Allied invasion, which ultimately led to victory in Europe and the end of the Second World War, the horrors of the Nazi regime and the Holocaust.

There were 1,096 Canadian casualties, of whom 381 lost their lives. Many of those heroes still remain laid buried in France, while others suffered injuries to body and mind that they would carry for the rest of their lives. Eighty years later, it is imperative that we remember the ultimate sacrifice they made.

Speaker, all of us in this House have a duty and a responsibility to honour their sacrifice by defending the freedom and democracy they fought for and died for, so today we honour the men and women who risk their lives on the beaches of Normandy, and we take time to reflect on the many privileges we have today as a as a result of their sacrifice. Lest we forget.