Senator MacDonald: Senator Gold, the first line of that third stanza reads, “Take up our quarrel with the foe . . . .”

Honourable senators, I never thought I’d see the day when the foe would be the Government of Canada. Since you represent the government in this place, can you please tell this chamber if you support this directive of the government, and tell Canadians if you support this directive of the government?

Hon. Michael L. MacDonald: Senator Gold, next month Canadians and veterans will gather on Remembrance Day to honour those who served in war, with particular emphasis on those who made the eternal sacrifice in the defence of freedom for this country. I’m always reminded of John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields.” There are three stanzas in that poem, and the third and most evocative stanza has six lines. The last five lines of stanza three are as follows:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

The Government of Canada that you represent has declared these prayers to be forbidden at Remembrance Day ceremonies. But in the Senate, we start every day with prayers. Why are prayers okay for living senators but not okay for our war dead?