MP Gallant Thanks Toronto City Councillor for ‘Supporting The Troops”!

June 28, 2007

Toronto, Ontario - Cheryl Gallant, MP, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, in a special ceremony recently at Toronto City Hall, honoured Toronto City Councillor Frances Nunziata for the leadership role she played during the recent support the troops “yellow ribbon controversy” in Toronto. Councillor Nunziata was the Mayor of the former City of York and currently represents Ward 11 York South-Weston in the newly amalgamated City of Toronto.

The ceremony came about as a small token of appreciation from Cheryl, whose constituency includes CFB Petawawa. The military community in Petawawa has been particularly challenged by hostilities in Afghanistan. Cheryl presented Councillor Nunziata with a Home Fires Park pin. The pin, was designed by local Pembroke artist Randy Chester, to “honour those who kept and continue to keep the home fires burning” for our military members. The pin is part of a larger memorial, the Home Fires Park, located on the grounds of CFB Petawawa.

In a move that surprised and shocked most reasonable Canadians, a vocal group of left-wing Toronto City Councillors tried to turn yellow ribbons on fire trucks and ambulances that show support for the women and men in uniform, into a political football. After the attempt was made to remove the yellow ribbons, Councillor Nunziata introduced a motion, that subsequently passed unanimously, to extend the use of the yellow ribbons until the mission has ended.

“It was evident that those who do not support the troops or the mission were not prepared for the public backlash that their actions generated. I personally thank all the Canadians who called, wrote, e-mailed or otherwise expressed their displeasure to the Mayor of Toronto for forcing him to back down on this issue.”

“The soldiers of Petawawa were there for the people of Toronto when they needed help to dig out of some snow. It is only right that they support the men and women in uniform as we fulfill our international obligations,” remarked Cheryl Gallant, MP.

“I was very touched to meet Councillor Nunziata in person,” stated MP Gallant. “Based on all the calls and comments of outrage I heard and received, presenting Frances with the pin was the right thing to do. With all the negative press Toronto receives for crime and other activities, it is reassuring to know that there are good people like Councillor Frances Nunziata in Toronto.”

For More Information Please Call Cheryl Gallant, M.P. at (613) 732-4404