Hon. Rose-Marie Losier-Cool:

Honourable senators, yesterday, October 5, was a very special Monday. It was International Teachers' Day.

Let us ask ourselves this: where would we be without teachers? What would we know? What would we do? Since knowledge is the most important key to success, and since this knowledge can only be transmitted by teachers, let us take a moment to think of and thank those who taught us and helped us become who we are today.

This year's theme, chosen by the Canadian Teachers' Federation, was "Peace. Live it. Teach it."

Peace. Live it. Teach it. A greater theme one could not find in this day and age where war still rages almost every day and everywhere. Who better than teachers to decry war and to promote peace among today's children, so that they do not become tomorrow's soldiers?

I look back fondly upon my more than 30 years as a high school teacher. How I miss those years when I could make a difference on a daily basis. Fortunately, I now have the chance to make a difference — differently. Yet, my heart still glows when I meet former students or talk to former colleagues.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a special hello to my friends at the Association des enseignantes et enseignants francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick. I applaud their daily commitment to education and peace in the schools and communities of my home province. The association has my utmost respect.

Honourable senators, along with parents and friends, teachers make up one of the three pillars that raise and support our children as they become adults. Let us not forget that, and let us show our gratitude to our teachers.

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