May 10, 2025
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It is a great pleasure to be here with you today, on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation.
Are you as enchanted as I am by the magnificent colors that surround us?
I've always felt that the Canadian Tulip Festival imbues Ottawa with an impressionistic charm.
The tulip is a symbol of love in its many forms. But it also serves as a reminder of the historical events that have shaped the peace we cherish today.
I just returned from the Netherlands, where we commemorated the 80th anniversary of its liberation at the end of the Second World War.
I participated in a remembrance ceremony at the Holten Canadian War Cemetery alongside Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, who has kindly sent us a video message that we will be viewing shortly.
As I made my way along the road to the ceremony, I was moved to see a Dutch family with a toddler enthusiastically waving a small Canadian flag, a touching symbol of strong bonds that both our countries hold so dearly.
I was also honoured to stand alongside 22 Canadian Second World War veterans, whose ages ranged from 96 to 105.
Among them was Honorary Lieutenant-General Richard Rohmer, one of Canada’s most legendary veteran pilots, whom we are fortunate to have with us today.
General, it was deeply humbling for me to be with you as we honoured you and your friends and all the Canadian troops who liberated the Dutch people in the spring of 1945, after five long and brutal years of war.
As a token of gratitude, every year, the Dutch royal family gifted tulip bulbs to Canada.
I can tell you that the gratitude of the Dutch people was unmistakable during the various events I attended.
The ceremony at Holten cemetery was attended by more than four thousand people, including many children.
As the service concluded, a helicopter descended and released a cascade of remembrance poppies. The children were then invited to gather the poppies and place them on the tombstones. It was a poignant gesture to help them learn about history and the invaluable nature of peace.
So, as you stroll among the marvellous tulips today, I encourage you to reflect on the enduring friendship between Canada and the Netherlands—one rooted in shared values and a commitment to safeguarding freedom, democracy and human dignity.
I also invite you to reflect on the sacrifices of our Canadian troops. At Groesbeek Cemetery, where we stood among the graves of 2 338 fallen Canadian service members, we met a young family with 4 small children who reminded us how important it is to share the stories so the children could learn and remember what happened.
May we, too, continue to honour our the memory of our Veterans and strive to preserve the peace they so bravely defended.
Lest we forget.
Enjoy the festival!