44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 14, 2022 02:00PM
- Dec/14/22 2:07:01 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to leave Parliament to spend the holidays in our respective ridings, I would like to take a few moments to celebrate selfless generosity.
It is the kind of generosity we see from people who get involved in their community for the sole purpose of helping others and bringing a smiles to their faces. It is the kind of generosity demonstrated by Santa Claus.
I actually know a Santa Claus. He is a kind and generous man of whom I am extremely proud. He has gotten involved everywhere he has gone, from the Lower St. Lawrence to Côte-Nord and Montérégie, with a few detours to Africa and Alberta. My father is “the” Santa Claus.
My colleagues may not see me as a gift, but my father is. Let us each, in our own way, be like my dad, people who are always generous and simply looking out for the welfare of others.
I wish everyone a merry Christmas.
I love you, Dad.
175 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/14/22 2:20:09 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that this is our last sitting in the House in 2022. I would like to say that a bit of fresh air will be good for our spirits. At the same time, not much was accomplished by all the shouting, which often owed more to showmanship than sincerity.
As we extend holiday greetings to our constituents, it is both my duty and my desire to tell them to take care of themselves. A faltering health care facility is no place to spend the holidays. A pair of handcuffs is no way to greet the desperate people finding their way to Roxham Road. A lack of support for new Quebeckers to learn the French language, a fundamental tool they will need to function in a French-speaking society, is no kind of gift.
If we are the wiser for sleeping on a problem, imagine what several weeks off could do. I sincerely wish all my colleagues in the House a very merry Christmas and a happy 2023.
My last word is for you, Mr. Speaker, along with the parliamentary staff, from the cooks to the pages, the security staff and yourself. Your patience and smiling faces remind us that we are here for the common good. Happy holidays to all of you and to Quebeckers.
219 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/14/22 2:24:37 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I join all my colleagues in wishing everyone a merry Christmas. We recognize that the holiday season will be difficult for many Canadians with the cost of living tied to global inflation. Times are tough. That is why we have been there to invest in families by doubling the GST credit, providing assistance for dental care for children who did not have access to it, providing assistance for low-income renters and cutting child care costs in half. We will continue to be there for Canadians this year, next year and in the future.
96 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/14/22 4:47:03 p.m.
- Watch
Madam Speaker, I too would like to extend to everyone in the House, including you and all members, a very merry Christmas and wishes for a happy and blessed new year.
It is an honour to serve in this, the people's House, and I would like to wish all those in Tobique—Mactaquac and their families a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.
I have the honour to present a petition, the signatories of which are calling on the government to pass legislation banning forced organ harvesting and trafficking.
A few minutes ago, legislation on this passed unanimously in the House. I congratulate the mover and all those who supported the bill so it could become law. Those who signed this petition can be quite happy today.
131 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/14/22 4:51:34 p.m.
- Watch
Madam Speaker, it is an honour to rise one more time to present a petition by signatories who are calling on the government to pass legislation banning forced organ harvesting and trafficking.
I would like to note that the House passed legislation on this this afternoon. I congratulate all members who worked very hard on the passage of this bill.
I wish everyone a very merry Christmas.
67 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/14/22 4:54:25 p.m.
- Watch
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.
511 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
