Harper then went on to describe the heroism of an Australian pilot who gave his life saving his Commonwealth crew, including a Canadian, while flying at Lancaster bomber over occupied Europe during the Second World War. You will find some of Harper’s toast below.

Prime Minister Stephen J. Harper: As Canadians, and as Australians, we cherish freedom, democracy, and justice.

Freedom is in the DNA of both countries. 

However, there is something else there too, and rather than try to analyze it, I’d just like to tell you a short story about it. 

About Australians and Canadians during that – the Second World War – defending that heritage of freedom. 

Now in my home province of Alberta, there lives a fellow by the name of Fred Sutherland. 

He’s now 91. 

But back when Mr. Sutherland was 19, he was a gunner on a Lancaster serving with 617 Squadron, better known as The Dambusters. 

His pilot was an Australian, Les Knight, who was a comparatively wise old man of 22. 

So was the wireless operator. 

So I want you to picture this bomber crewed by men from around the world - three from Britain - two from Canada - two from Australia, united in a common cause: the struggle against fascism, the struggle for freedom. 

Theirs was the third plane to launch a bomb against the Eder Dam. 

Tony, I have to say this, even fresh as we are from the beaches of Normandy, it is still amazing, awe-inspiring that such great things were done by such young men. 

Anyway, the mission was a complete success as everybody knows. 

Perhaps not so well known is that this kind of mixed crew from across the Commonwealth was actually quite common. 

So it was not unusual that this crew would stay together. 

A few months later, they were flying low over Holland. 

It was night and it was also foggy. 

They hit a tree and lost two engines. 

Somehow, Knight got the crippled airplane high enough for his crew to bail out, but he didn’t go. 

As his plane was going down for the last time, he saw that he was about to crash into a Dutch town so he stayed with the plane and he managed to miss the town. 

And for that gallant act of self-sacrifice, pilot-officer Knight paid with his life. 

He saved who knows how many Dutch civilians, and a few Canadians - Fred Sutherland among them - also owe him their lives.

Now there’s a lot to that story but let me just say this. 

For a hundred years, Australians and Canadians have never hesitated when freedom is threatened. 

In our own time, young men and women from Australia and Canada have stood together. 

In Afghanistan, to once again defend our peace and security and the values that we share.

So, here in Canada, Prime Minister, we know from experience a few things about Australians, but above all this: in an uncertain world, you may be distant cousins, but you are the closest and most certain of friends.

So, ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to rise and join me in a toast. 

To Australia and Australians on behalf of one Canadian in particular, to the memory of Pilot Officer Les Knight, and to the friendship that we Australians and Canadians share. 

To Australia.