Notice of Motion: The Loss of the soldier killed in Ottawa

Notice of Motion: That this House express its condolences to the family of the soldier killed in Ottawa today and its deep concern at the attack at Parliament House.

I stand today on behalf of the Māori Party to express our heartfelt sympathies to the Canadian Parliament, the Canadian people, and most of all to the family and loved ones of the soldiers* whose lives have been tragically stolen. The young lives of those soldiers will be forever entrenched as heroes to be remembered for evermore by their children, by their parents, and by all of those who loved them dearly.

To be a member of Parliament is the greatest honour and privilege—to be of service to one’s people. Today we mourn with all of our peers across the world as we consider one of our own brothers, as we do with all of our own security staff who stand to protect us here. One of our brothers amongst us has been killed today in our world.

We have a whakataukī from home, Aorangi tū noa, tapa kotinga takoto noa. It means: Aorangi stands alone while I will be struck down to lie forlorn. It referred to the tragic execution of a Wairarapa chief. I am reminded of how senseless the loss of life is that comes from events such as today’s in Canada. They have huge ramifications for the communities from which these individuals come.

It is also time to acknowledge this sergeant-at-arms, who today stood up to protect parliamentarians while standing guard at the Ottawa National War Memorial in front, poignantly, of the tomb of the fallen soldier. A noble action well beyond the call of duty and one that represents the incredible calibre of the people who do so much to protect those working in the Houses of Parliament both here and across the globe.

Our thoughts are with the family of the fallen soldier and the guards who have lost their lives in today’s attacks and the attacks of this week. Nō reira e te Whare, tēnā koutou.

* The attack in Ottawa came two days after two Canadian soldiers were run over - and one of them killed - in Quebec.

ENDS

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