House of Commons Debates
Débats de la Chambre des communes
Mr. Peter Van Loan (York—Simcoe, CPC): Mr. Speaker, this week we are properly observing the 60th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi tyranny. But we must remember that this also marked the beginning of half a century of occupying Soviet communist terror for millions who lost their freedom as the Iron Curtain descended across Europe.
The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were particularly brutalized. Hundreds of thousands were systematically murdered or sent to almost certain death in Siberian concentration camps. Millions lost their freedom.
As we mark the anniversary of VE Day, let us not forget the millions for whom freedom would remain only a dream for another half a century.
