Premier Selinger's Statement on the Polish Air Disaster

Ministerial Statement on the Polish Air Disaster

Today I rise to express my condolences to the people of Poland and to Polish people the world over, including here in Manitoba where some 40,000 people of Polish decent live.

On Saturday, April 10th, 96 people, including the President of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, and his wife, parliamentarians, military leaders and leaders from a broad array of public life, were killed when their plane crashed in heavy fog.

Every plane crash, every swift and unexpected loss of life is a tragedy. The tragedy of the Polish plane crash is compounded, however, because it not only takes loved ones from their families, but it takes from an entire country the hopes, ideals and aspirations that its citizenry entrusted in its political representatives.

Poland, a country all too familiar with national tragedies, is once again in mourning.

The Polish officials on this flight were themselves heading to the Katyn forest, where they were to honour thousands of Polish military officers who were executed 70 years ago by Stalin's secret police - an historical event that makes this plane crash all the more tragic.

We, too, Mr. Speaker, mourn this loss.

Poland, however, is a country known for the strength of its national character. Already, people are coming together; from political leaders to working families, people are putting their differences aside to help those in need. One newspaper reported the scene in Poland as solidarity everywhere.

Today, we stand to let the people of Poland know that the solidarity shown within their own borders reaches across the ocean to the halls of this Legislature and to the people of Manitoba.

I ask, Mr. Speaker, that following the remarks of other members, this House stands for a moment of silence so that we can together offer our thoughts and prayers to our Polish friends.

Thank you.

Adobe Acrobat version.