Yrys
Army.ca Veteran
- Reaction score
- 11
- Points
- 430
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2007/06/20/qc-afghanistanprotest0620.html
ADD: Health minister, Phillipe Couillard, said it was also a personnal matter to him, as his son is a university student and part of the army.
A raucous exchange at Quebec's national assembly Wednesday forced the suspension of question period
after Liberal members in the legislature accused some of their Parti Québécois counterparts of failing to honour
Canadian soldiers watching from the visitors gallery.
The soldiers, part of the Armed Forces team in Afghanistan, were invited to attend question period on Wednesday,
where they were formally welcomed by house Speaker Michel Bissonnet, followed by a standing ovation. But when
question period started Health Minister Philippe Couillard accused some PQ MNAs of failing to stand and applaud,
which triggered a loud exchange of words and shouting across the floor.
Bissonnet was forced to end question period early to restore order.
The PQ defended its members, saying they welcomed the soldiers as much as anyone else, but like Quebecers
in general, they are largely opposed to the war. The so-called snub didn't bother soldiers visiting the national
assembly. "The welcome was great. The thing is there was a discussion at one point," said Brig.-Gen. Guy
Laroche. "That's fair. That's democracy." Laroche said it's important for Canadian civilians to support the
Armed Forces' efforts if they are to succeed in establishing peace in Afghanistan.
His urging comes as two Quebec-based antiwar groups vow to march in protest on Friday against Canada's
presence in Afghanistan, the same day soldiers from the Valcartier base are expected to parade through the
province's capital city in anticipation of their deployment in August. The Guerre à la Guerre and Québec pour
la paix coalitions hope to spark debate on Canada's role in Afghanistan. They are opposed to the traditional
soldiers' parade prior to deployment, calling it a charm operation that doesn't encourage real discussion
about Canada's mission abroad.
More than 2,000 soldiers from the Valcartier base outside Quebec City will travel to Afghanistan for a six-month mission.
ADD: Health minister, Phillipe Couillard, said it was also a personnal matter to him, as his son is a university student and part of the army.