Mr. Speaker, I too would like to congratulate you on your election as Speaker for this House, which will really be beginning tomorrow.
On behalf of my party, I want to extend our hearty congratulations and express a vote of thanks to all members who put themselves forward in order to serve all members of the House in the role of Speaker.
It gives me great pleasure to congratulate the Speaker elected.
When parliament implemented the recommendation of the McGrath committee to establish the election of the Speaker by secret ballot, it was an important step forward. It was an important symbol in establishing the non-partisan nature of the Speaker. It was also intended to be a step in the direction of important parliamentary reform.
Mr. Speaker, all members share with you an interest in and responsibility for moving forward with other parliamentary reforms. Providing the necessary leadership in this regard should not be your responsibility alone, but I do hope and genuinely believe that you will show such leadership.
You have been a serious student of parliamentary procedure. In your role as Deputy Speaker you have always presided over this Chamber fairly, firmly, and with a twinkle in your eye. I think that is important. Unfortunately we are not quite as able to see the twinkle in the Speaker's eye today from this vantage point.
In addition to being very serious about the importance of the role and its non-partisan nature, the Speaker elected today genuinely loves this parliament, loves the role that has been bestowed upon him, and will discharge his obligations with a real sense of joy and fun that will benefit all of us.
I want to just say one word to the Speaker's family members who are here. Many think that graduating from Queen's University is the highest honour a family member could achieve. In addition to having honoured your family by graduating from Queen's University, and having been four times elected to represent the people of Kingston and the Islands, you have today enjoyed the ultimate confidence of your peers in being elected to serve us, and thereby serve the people of Canada, in the role of Speaker of the 37th parliament.
On behalf of my colleagues I want to wish you bonne chance, félicitations et bonne santé. Let the work begin.