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House Hansard - 166

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
March 8, 2023 02:00PM
Context: House Hansard - 166 - Mar/8/23
Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NDP)
  • Mar/8/23 4:48:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is singular what the member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount has achieved. We have had speeches from the Prime Minister, the member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, the member for Manicouagan and now myself on behalf of the NDP caucus. You have sensed, I am sure, Mr. Speaker, and I hope the member himself has sensed the tremendous respect and affection we have for him. It is a singular achievement that after 14 years, every single member of this House loves the member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount. When we look at his career, we see just how significant his contribution has been. He served in our country's military, he was the first Canadian astronaut to travel into space, he worked hard as a minister, and he was an extraordinary MP. He led by example many times. He made a contribution in every aspect of his life and, of course, beyond all else, he made a tremendous contribution to Canada. There is a question that I think is in all our minds: How could it be that, after 14 years in the House of Commons, he looks exactly the same, as young as he did when he entered? Rumour has it that one day in space is equal to one month on earth and I think, ultimately, that is the secret that he looks as young as he does after 14 years. We also know the point of view that he has offered in this House. He talked about respect, and I will come back to that in a moment, but above all, there is his wisdom. I think that comes from having perceived our small planet from space and understanding that the differences we have sometimes among one another are very small in relation to the importance of our country and of our planet. Ultimately, that is his legacy to this House. He was also a gentleman, as the member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles just said. Beyond all else, he was respectful to all the members of Parliament. That is the challenge that we have just been given: We need to act more like the member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount did every day. That is his message, that is the legacy he is leaving us, with all the work he has done as an MP. Every day, we need to be respectful of each other here in the House. That is something he did throughout his entire career. On behalf of the NDP caucus, our leader from Burnaby South and all New Democrats across the country, I would like to extend our deepest congratulations to the member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount on his retirement. We wish him a wonderful retirement. We want to thank his family and his employees for their service by letting him sit in the House of Commons and, above all, contribute as much as he did to our country.
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