SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 211 - Jun/12/23

Mr. Darrell Samson (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, Lib.)

Jun/12/23 8:21:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for his very interesting speech. I agree with him on several points, but not all of them. Speaking of being in agreement, there's nothing I love more than being in the House to deliver my speeches. As my colleague just demonstrated this evening, it is certainly much more exciting when we can add emotions to our words to express our feelings and our concerns. It certainly makes for a better debate. There is no doubt about that. I could not agree more. Like him, I really enjoy being here in the House. I would like to admit one thing, and I would like my colleague to think about it over the course of the evening, for he may come back with a different opinion tomorrow. I want to be honest with my colleagues. The opposition members' arguments differ from mine on a very important point. I arrived in the House in 2015. Between 2015 and 2019, ours was a majority government. Peter Stoffer, my predecessor, was well known for standing up for veterans. I was told that I had not attended a certain dinner, that I had not attended a certain event with veterans while this person or that person had attended. I was told that I did not represent them as he had. I could not be there because there could have been a vote in the House and our government could have fallen. When you are in opposition, as my predecessor was, it is easy. He could stay home for a day, attend activities and return to the House. Being in the House at all times helps me to be more effective. I am here 99% of the time. When I am not here, I am either at an event or I am sick. It is because something has happened. I just spent three days at the dentist's office. I am so excited that I am having difficulty speaking. I would like my colleague to tell me whether it would not be more effective to have access to the hybrid option, but to use it only on an exceptional basis, as he stated. That is why we have whips. They tell their MPs to be present. If MPs have a good reason for not being there, the whips believe in them and support them.

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Context: House Hansard - 211 - Jun/12/23

Mr. Darrell Samson (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, Lib.)

Jun/12/23 11:33:35 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her speech and the relevant information she shared during her 20 minutes. First, I want to say that the chair of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs has done an outstanding job. I have been to the committee a few times, and I have been very impressed. She is not biased. She is very open to discussion. I wanted to note that, as well. I want to mention that things are easier for the opposition than for the government. I understand that you are not in government and never will be, because of the party you represent. I say that with all due respect. I remember that, from 2015 to 2019, the MP who was here before me—

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Context: House Hansard - 211 - Jun/12/23

Mr. Darrell Samson (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, Lib.)

Jun/12/23 11:46:05 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I regret the fact that I did not get to listen to my colleague's French accent. He speaks very well in French, and I encourage him to continue to do so; that is very important. I appreciated the fact that he listed a number of advantages, as well as underlining some of the disadvantages, of hybrid. I have to say that, when I replaced the previous member of Parliament, who was an NDP opposition member for 18 years, that former member was able to stay back and do events on a certain night or certain day, activities with veterans, that I was not able to do between 2015 and 2019. I could not stay back one day to go to an event with the member. I felt that I was not able to be as representative as I would have liked to be. Now, I am here all the time. I have maybe missed five in the last year, for specific reasons, such as dental work last week. I am able to do my duties at home and represent my constituency. Does the member think we could be even more effective by having hybrid, but using it only on an exceptional basis?

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