(Friday, December 5, 2008 – PETERBOROUGH, ON)  I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Cpl. Mark Robert McLaren as a result of a roadside bomb attack today in Afghanistan.

Cpl. McLaren exemplified the very best of Canadian values and demonstrated through his selfless volunteer service a commitment to extend freedom and democracy in a place where the people have suffered for generations.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Few among us have or ever will demonstrate the commitment to Canada that Cpl. McLaren and his fallen comrades have, I know that I speak for everyone in our community when I say that we will remain eternally grateful. At this time of deep sadness, I also want to remember his fallen comrades, Pte. Demetrios Diplaros and a third soldier, whose name has not yet been released pending notification of his family, that also paid the ultimate sacrifice in today's cowardly insurgent attack.

Dean Del Mastro
Member of Parliament, Peterborough Riding