Statement by the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Leader of the Opposition, on the Death of Corporal Michael Starker in Afghanistan

Today I join all Canadians in grieving the loss of another Canadian soldier in Afghanistan, Corporal Michael Starker. Corporal Starker was killed while on patrol near Kandahar. Another Canadian soldier was injured in the incident.

This tragic loss serves to remind us of the sacrifice our brave men and women in uniform make every day while working to protect Afghan civilians and trying to bring stability to the region. Canadians are tremendously proud of what they do and recognize the debt of gratitude we owe to them.

On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our parliamentary caucus, I offer my deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Corporal Starker. I also wish the other soldier injured in the incident a successful and speedy recovery.

James Morton
1100 - 5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
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