Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the occasion of the ninth annual Canadian Forces Day:
“Today, I join with Canadians to pay tribute to the men and women of the Canadian Forces and the outstanding work they do in Canada and around the world in difficult and dangerous circumstances.
“Every day, in Canada and around the world, the brave men and women of the Canadian Forces work in the most challenging of circumstances to defend Canadian security at home and promote peace, democracy and the rule of law abroad. Whether fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, protecting ships from pirates off the coast of Somalia, patrolling Canada’s North to protect our sovereignty, or helping reconstruction efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti, Canadian Forces members are a credit to our great nation.
“Just as we must thank our brave men and women in uniform who serve Canada with bravery and dedication, we cannot forget the contribution of those military families who, through their personal sacrifice and support for our troops, make their own invaluable contribution to a stronger, safer Canada.
“Our Government is committed to ensuring the Canadian Forces have the tools they need to do the difficult work we ask of them. Our long-term investments in new technology and equipment will ensure they can continue to get the job done.
“Today, I express the nation's gratitude for all the hard work of the Canadian Forces and our confidence and pride in all that they do.”
