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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 148

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 14, 2022 02:00PM
Context: House Hansard - 148 - Dec/14/22
Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • Dec/14/22 4:54:25 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, let me start by saying that we heard wonderful tributes by all parties to our former colleague, the late Jim Carr. I really appreciate all the comments made by members. It is a very acute reminder of the brevity of our time on this planet. I want to thank all members for choosing to take the time they have on this earth to serve their communities and this country. I hope that all members have a wonderful Christmas. I thank you, Madam Speaker, the Speaker and the entire Speaker team, for all the work you do throughout the year. I thank my other House leader counterparts, whom I have enjoyed working with. I thank the newly appointed House leader for the Conservatives from Regina—Qu'Appelle, whom I have enjoyed working with and I am looking forward to the year ahead. I also want to thank the member for La Prairie, a wonderful person and friend. I thank him for all of his efforts. I am very grateful to him. I also thank the hon. House leader for the NDP from New Westminster—Burnaby, who is an incredible gentleman as well and whom I appreciate working with. I also thank our own whip, the member for Gatineau, and his extraordinary deputy, the member for Brampton North, for their remarkable work. I thank the whips of the other parties. I know, having done it for three years, what a tough job it is. I thank the member for South Surrey—White Rock, the member for Salaberry—Suroît and the NDP whip from North Island—Powell River for their excellent work. I have enjoyed working with her, and also with the member from the Bloc in my time as whip, and I appreciate all that they do. I thank the staff who worked so tirelessly for this place, the Parliamentary Protective Service that keeps us safe, the Sergeant-at-Arms and his team, the table officers and all the branches of the House administration. I save my final words for the Clerk, Mr. Charles Robert, with 42 years of remarkable dedicated service to the chamber. The flame of democracy is delicate and perhaps has never been more delicate than it has over the last number of years. The service that he has done to our democracy over that period of time is recognized, seen and sincerely appreciated. We wish Mr. Clerk all the best in his future endeavours. We are greatly indebted to him for all the work that he did silently. I do not think anybody knows the fullness of not only his dedication to this place but the impact of his service, the impact of modernizing this place and his passion for the chamber. I thank Mr. Clerk on behalf of all parliamentarians for his service and wish him all the best in the future. I wish all parliamentarians and everybody who hears this a very merry Christmas, and I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday. That includes the member across, absolutely.
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