Statement made on 06 October 2011 by Senator Claudette Tardif
Hon. Claudette Tardif (Deputy Leader of the Opposition):
Honourable senators, yesterday, educators from around the world were acknowledged as part of World Teachers' Day.
Every year on October 5, World Teachers' Day is an opportunity to recognize the 30 million teachers who have the huge responsibility of educating the next generation.
By helping young men and women achieve their potential, our teachers guarantee the development and success of our future leaders. In Canada, we are especially fortunate to have one of the best education systems in the world. From coast to coast to coast, in every province and territory, our dedicated and very professional teachers have been the driving force behind our great success as a nation.
I am particularly proud of my province, Alberta. In his speech to Parliament on September 22, British Prime Minister David Cameron praised Alberta as "the jurisdiction with the best educational results of any English speaking jurisdiction in the world." This distinction, attributed to our province's teachers, is a shining example of the great work that dedicated teachers can accomplish.
World Teachers' Day is also an important time to think about the places in the world where students do not have the same opportunity for access to education. In many countries around the world, young children do not have the right to a basic education.
I found it particularly fitting that yesterday in this chamber, on World Teachers' Day, we paid tribute to a truly great educator, Senator Bill Rompkey. Before he entered public life, Senator Rompkey worked tirelessly as a teacher and a principal in his home region of Labrador.
I am proud to have been an educator for a great number of years. The times I have been able to help young men and women reach their full potential have been some of the most rewarding moments of my life.
I would also like to salute the many former educators who sit in this chamber with me: Speaker Kinsella, Deputy Speaker Oliver, Senator Carstairs, Senator Merchant, Senator Dyck, Senator Callbeck, Senator Losier-Cool, Senator Robichaud, Senator Moore, Senator Furey, Senator Cordy, Senator Martin, Senator Tkachuk, and many others.
Honourable senators, please join me today in showing our appreciation for teachers and educators around the world.