Damien C. Kurek Swearing-in ceremony/ Crmonie d’assermentation de Damien C. Kurek
Ottawa, ONTARIO, Canada on 25 November 2019. Credit: Christian Diotte, House of Commons Photo Services
On Nov. 25, I was officially Sworn-In as the Member of Parliament for Battle River – Crowfoot in the 43rd Canadian Parliament.
It is the greatest honour of my life, along with my wife Danielle and my family, to be able to serve this constituency.
I am energized and eager to represent all of you, to advocate and fight for East Central Alberta, and to take action on the issues you shared with me throughout the campaign.
Since the election, I have been busy travelling to events and meetings across the constituency.
I have opened a main office in Camrose and Ottawa.
I was able to see the reality of how powerful elections are and that our system empowers Canadians to be able to choose their representatives. I join 337 other MPs from across Canada, also elected by their continents, to serve Canadians. Even though MPs will disagree, I am looking forward to the opportunity to engage in the process of governing our great country.
My Swearing-In became especially poignant when Danielle and I, along with a few of family members learned that my Great-Great Uncle’s name was going to be displayed in the World War II Book of Remembrance the following day.
For those who have not had the opportunity to visit Parliament let me explain; there is a small chapel on Parliament Hill that houses a series of books that records the name of every Canadian Serviceman and Woman who has been lost in service to our Country.
Kurek’s Great-Great Uncle’s name in the World War II Book of Remembrance. ECA Review/Submitted
Each day the pages of these books are turned, to ensure that once a year, every person who died in service has their name displayed in the heart of Canada’s democratic system.
Danielle, myself, my children and a few family members arrived at the “Room of Remembrance” shortly before the ceremony was scheduled to begin.
We witnessed a simple, but powerful ceremony when the pages are turned.
After the ceremony, I was able to view and even feel the page where Flight Officer John Earl Stillings of the RCAF is memorialized.
I share this story with you because of our democracy and the freedoms that we have as Canadians are not something that we can forget.
We should not dismiss nor can we ever neglect to protect this. Although we face serious challenges as a province and region, we live in an amazing country.
In future columns, I will address concerns, current events, initiatives, and many other subjects.
Damien Kurek, MP
Battle River-Crowfoot
