 STATEMENT BY MR. JOHN O'REILLY, LIBERAL (HALIBURTON - VICTORIA - BROCK,
ONTARIO) - PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE"Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the Minister of National
Defence to acknowledge the 60th Anniversary of the Women's Royal Canadian
Naval Service - more commonly known as Wrens. The Wrens were established
on July 31, 1942 to release Canadian sailors from shore duty. From across
Canada, women volunteered to serve their country by performing
non-traditional jobs, ranging from maintaining anti-submarine equipment
and aircraft, to cryptology, communications, and signaling. These women
performed crucial roles in support of Canada's war effort as full and
equal partners. The Wrens were trailblazers for women in Canada and in
the Canadian forces. By 1955 women were fully integrated into the regular
force component of the Royal Canadian Navy and they continue to serve in
the defence of Canada to this day. Mr. Speaker, I would ask all members to
join the Minister of National Defence and myself in offering our thanks
and congratulations on this the 60th anniversary of the Women's Royal
Canadian Naval Service." |
