The Louis St. Laurent was joined at the North Pole by the Polar Sea and later accompanied the Polar Sea, on the way back to the Maritimes, over the Pole from the Pacific to the Atlantic, thus making it the first ever Arctic Ocean transit. They arrived in Halifax on September 9, 1994.
The information gained from this expedition will benefit all northerners and Canadians alike and will help us combat future threats from dumping of nuclear waste and discarded refuse from industry, as well as to determine the whereabouts of marine and airborne pollutants. The information on ice and navigation will no doubt be useful for our own, by sea only, resupply and possibly the tourism industry in the future.
Again to conclude, Madam Speaker, I was given hats by both captains Grandy and Brigham to commemorate the event. I won't wear them in the house, Madam Speaker, but I just wanted to show them to the other Members...Actually, I bought one. I know I cannot wear them in this House, but I just wanted to show the Members and extend -- I wouldn't dare -- a big thank you to the staff and the crews and the ships of the Canadian Coast Guard who worked so hard for us. Thank you.
---Applause