The House met at 2 p.m.

Prayers.

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY

DEATH OF ALDO MORO

Hon. Mr. McKeough: Mr. Speaker, as members know, it has been confirmed this morning that the former Premier of Italy, Aldo Moro, has been murdered by his terrorist captors.

On behalf of the government of Ontario, and I’m sure all members of this Legislature, I would like to express our deepest sympathy for his family, who have lost such a fine and good man. The people of Italy, as well, have been robbed of a noble public servant and a friend of democracy and freedom everywhere. His murder is unconscionable and it is an act of cowardice.

As members of this Legislature, as fellow politicians and as friends, we express our solidarity with Italy in its grief and its struggle against evil ideas and those declared enemies of democracy and freedom.

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Mr. Welch moves, seconded by Mr. S. Smith and Mr. Cassidy, that this House expresses its sincerest condolences to the family of former Italian Premier Aldo Moro and to the government and people of Italy; that this House extends to them its unanimous respect for the courage they have demonstrated in the face of terrorist threats which have led to the death of Mr. Moro after 54 days of being held captive; that this House, on behalf of the people of Ontario, hereby records its rejection and condemnation of terrorism in any form in the modern world; and that in tribute to Mr. Moro this House do now adjourn.

Mr. S. Smith: Mr. Speaker, in seconding on behalf of all of us here the motion of the honourable minister, I think we are reflecting that all of us believe that the murder of Aldo Moro is a human tragedy of immense proportion. Those who love democracy and humanity can feel only outrage and disgust at the action of the so-called Red Brigade, savage creatures who masquerade as political activists. Our own country underwent a similar tragedy eight years ago -- similar in many ironic ways.

Every citizen of Ontario and Canada sends heartfelt and profound sympathy to the people of Italy and to the family of Mr. Moro.

Mr. Cassidy: In seconding the motion, Mr. Speaker, we weep too for Italy at the loss of its most respected statesman and political leader. On behalf of my colleagues and on behalf of my party, I wish to express our deepest sympathy to the widow and family of Aldo Moro and to the people of Italy at this tragic moment in the political life of their country.

The murder of Signor Moro, following his abduction and the murder of his bodyguards on March 15, is the latest attempt by the criminals of the Red Brigades to undermine the fabric and institutions of democracy in Italy. Daily abductions, murders and shootings of innocent people are part of a systematic effort at the violent disruption of Italian society. We unite with all the people of Ontario and with our colleagues in the Italian Parliament in condemning the outrages that have taken place in Italy and in applauding the courage of the Italian government and of the Italian people in resisting demands of the terrorists that would inevitably have led to further atrocities and put Italy’s democracy in still greater peril.

We are confident that democratic liberties will survive the present crisis in Italy.

Motion agreed to.

On motion by Hon. Mr. Welch, the House adjourned at 2:07 p.m.