Honourable senators, today I would like to remember Canadians — humanitarians — recently murdered by terrorists far away from here.

On January 14, 70-year-old Laval resident Tahar Amer-Ouali was killed by terrorists in Indonesia. Beloved father of five and a grandfather, he was an audiologist who founded clinics in Montreal to give the hard of hearing the beautiful gift of sound.

This good man was taken suddenly when suicide bombers and men armed with grenades attacked, killing Tahar and another person and seriously injuring his brother, Mourad.

ISIS proudly claimed responsibility. One of the terrorists had received a money transfer from the group, and the Indonesian authorities have blocked over a dozen websites celebrating the attacks. Police said that those arrested were plotting more attacks against the Indonesian government and police, as well as foreign targets — attacks against us, honourable senators.

Together with its allies, Canada is working to degrade and defeat ISIS and to protect innocent people, including Canadians, from terror, torture and death. The brave and skilled crews of our CF-18s are aiming true to prevent the conflict from spreading. Honourable senators, we must maintain our commitment to fighting terrorism wherever it is.

The Indonesian president condemned the terrorists who robbed his people of peace and security, and he vowed that Indonesians would not surrender to the terror of ISIS.

Today we remember Tahar, and our thoughts are with his family.

Just one day after ISIS killed Tahar, terrorists struck again, killing six other Quebecers from Lac-Beauport who were on a humanitarian mission in Burkina Faso.

These Canadians were there to repair a school on behalf of the Congrégation des sœurs de Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours.

They were enjoying a meal together, not knowing it would be their last. Jihadists attacked, and during a 12-hour siege they coldly and callously killed 29 people, including our Canadians — a family of four and two of their friends.

Gladys Chamberland, her spouse Yves Carrier, their children Charlelie and Maude, and friends Louis Chabot and Suzanne Bernier died at the hands of terrorists. Four of them were active or retired teachers with longstanding service to the students of Quebec. Yves Carrier was vice-principal and Louis Chabot was a teacher at Jean-de-Brébeuf.

I would like to quote the words of one of their neighbours. He said:

A humanitarian trip isn't supposed to end like this.

Burkina Faso's President Kaboré said that the people of his country must unite against terrorism and his forces would increase their efforts to thwart future attacks. He said al Qaeda seeks to destabilize their country and its institutions, and to undermine efforts to build a free and prosperous nation. I know Canadians want to stand with him against the terrorists who killed his citizens and ours.

What happened in Burkina Faso shows that Canada must not shrink from the fight against terror. In just two days, seven Canadians were murdered. This is our fight too.

Let's remember these humanitarian workers from Lac- Beauport, a city in mourning, and not let their sacrifice be forgotten. We can honour their memory by standing proudly with our allies to defeat terror and protect Canadians and all citizens of the world, wherever they may be.