Introduction of Guests (3 December 2025)

From Hansard (3 December 2025)

 

Retired Members of Canadian Forces

Blaine McLeod: — I’ll just say my wife’s on vacation just now, right now. That’s why I thought . . . Mr. Speaker, in your gallery is five very fine people that I’d like to introduce today.

First of all, retired Brigadier-General Cliff Walker. Born and raised in Regina, Cliff’s military career spanned 35 years, and he was appointed the Regina Rifles commanding officer at the tender age of 28. One initiative that brings him continued joy is the Bold Eagle program that he helped co-found with help from Indigenous leaders in the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police]. It continues to be one of the most successful Indigenous youth programs in Canada. And 36 years later it is still going strong, with an annual intake of approximately 125 youth.

Lieutenant-Colonel Ed Staniowski is another former commanding officer of the Royal Regina Rifles, born in Moose Jaw and known in Regina as the last winning goalie for the 1974 Memorial Cup champion Regina Pats and then a successful 10-year career in the NHL [National Hockey League].

Ed joined the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserves in 1985 as an officer cadet in the Royal Regina Rifles. Rising through the ranks, he became the CO [commanding officer] from ’98 to 2001 in a military career that spanned 30 years. In retirement, Ed was Chair of the commemorative project Operation Calvados, an 8-foot-high Regina rifleman bronze statue which is placed in la Place des Canadiens in Bretteville in France. It stands as a reminder to future generations of the Regina Rifle regiment’s history of sacrifice and endurance that began on D-Day, June 7th, 1944.

And then we have Retired Corporal Jamie Sinclair. Now Jamie spent 34 years in the Canadian Armed Forces serving with the Royal Regina Rifles and Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He served in four tours overseas, deployed with A Company of the 1st Battalion PPCLI [Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry] in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan serving as a trained sniper, taking on the role of platoon sharpshooter.

Now Jamie resides in Regina Beach and is incredibly active in organizing and volunteering in his community. If you haven’t met Jamie, you haven’t lived in Regina Beach very long. Love you, brother.

And then also Master Warrant Officer Retired Willy MacDonald, who grew up in Regina from the age of one through to his graduation from Sheldon Collegiate. After graduation he went to the U of R [University of Regina] where he completed three semesters of learning. And after those three semesters, let’s just say that university was not his cup of tea, and so began his career of 25 years in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Now I’ll be speaking more in regards to Willy in a member’s statement, so for now I will say that he’s retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2015 and resides in Calgary with his wife and his son.

Mr. Speaker, a bit of a theme that has occurred there is that we’ve got leaders, commanding officers of the regiment here in Regina. And I’m told that Jamie Sinclair was sworn in by LieutenantColonel Ed Staniowski, and Jamie’s been swearing ever since.

I’d like to thank these warrior soldiers for their service to our nation. We are inspired by your selfless dedication to your chosen profession, and we are ever grateful for your service. Please join with me in welcoming these fine veterans to this, their Legislative Assembly.