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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 297

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
April 10, 2024 02:00PM
Context: House Hansard - 297 - Apr/10/24
Mr. Yves-François Blanchet
  • Apr/10/24 3:21:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we could, very carefully, despite his sense of humour, touch a little on the member's age. Now, we are mainly talking about the length of his reign as MP for this wonderful constituency. In theory, we should be talking about wisdom. We should be talking about the great wisdom of the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel, but no. The member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel has not acquired, after all these years, what one might call wisdom. He is still quite a rascal. He is a man of consummate humour. He is an inexhaustible source of anecdotes. He is generous and deeply endearing. When I started thinking about trying to fill the position I now hold, one of the first people I consulted was the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel. I took his advice. I think I did the right thing. Although I will need to bend the rules a bit, I speak for everyone when I say: Thank you, Louis.
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Context: House Hansard - 297 - Apr/10/24
Mr. Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, NDP)
  • Apr/10/24 3:27:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House to pay tribute to the longevity and hard work of the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel, who has been elected 12 consecutive times without ever losing his riding. It is absolutely amazing. He was first elected in 1984 as part of the same Progressive Conservative wave as the late Mr. Mulroney. I wonder where I was in 1984. I was 11 years old, finishing elementary school, and I was younger than my youngest child is now. That gives members some idea. The hon. member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel has a great sense of humour. He is always witty and sometimes has a tendency to tease us. I cannot resist pointing out that Wikipedia says he acted as interim Speaker of the House of Commons for six days last fall. For six days, the Bloc Québécois member was theoretically reporting directly to Charles III, King of England. He served him conscientiously for those six days. More importantly, he has served his constituents conscientiously for over 14,000 consecutive days. That shows the depth of his local roots, his on-the-ground knowledge, and his grassroots connections. It also shows the power of local democracy. On behalf of the NDP, I congratulate the member.
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