Louis Plamondon

[Hon. Deepak Obhrai, December 11th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, today, we are paying tribute to the memory of Deepak Obhrai. His passing this summer left all parliamentarians reeling.

Mr. Obhrai served the people of Calgary Forest Lawn for 22 years. Working in federal politics for 22 years takes a sincere willingness to serve one's constituents, a love of one's community and a lot of availability. It also involves many sacrifices on the part of the member and even more on the part of the member's family. Often families agree to lend their loved one to the country not knowing whether they will be able to make up for the time he or she dedicated to the common good.

Mr. Obhrai was well known for his sense of humour and his inclusiveness. I have wonderful memories of him, mainly from serving with him in committee in the 2000s. He was always well prepared and respectful. What is more, he was an excellent communicator.

Two or three years ago, he said to me in joking that I should retire before the next election because he was tired of just being the longest-serving Conservative and wanted to be the dean of the House of Commons. Whenever I saw him he would tease me about the fact that I am the dean of the House.

His rise from 20-something Tanzanian immigrant to senior figure in a major federal party is sure to inspire younger generations. At the age of 69, he passed away from cancer, which carried him off in a matter of weeks. His death reminds us that we still have a long way to go in battling this terrible disease, which took away a dedicated colleague, father, grandfather and husband.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois members, I offer my deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his colleagues in the Conservative Party. The great French author Alexandre Dumas once said that those we have loved may not be where they used to be, but they are with us always, wherever we may be.

[Luc O'Bomsawin, December 10th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, the Abenaki Nation, along with the other indigenous nations of Quebec, are mourning the passing of Luc O'Bomsawin, a prominent figure in indigenous circles.

Luc passed away on December 4 at the age of 62 from an aggressive cancer, three weeks after being diagnosed.

Luc first served with the Canadian Armed Forces as a communications specialist and crew member of the 12e Régiment Blindé du Canada. He then joined the Aboriginal Police, serving in several Quebec communities, then worked as a correctional officer at the Donnacona Institution, and finally was a member of the Ports Canada Police and the Sûreté du Québec. He was also the founder of the Quebec Aboriginal Veterans Association.

The Abenakis of Odanak remember Luc as a decent, dedicated man who was very involved in his community and proud to showcase it.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois and all members of the House, I offer our condolences to his family and the entire Abenaki Nation.

[Election of the Speaker, December 5th, 2019]

He added that it was pretty much the same in politics.

The third thing I would like to say is that you should get into politics because you like to serve, because you like your constituents and because you are dedicated. Never get into politics for recognition. If you are looking for recognition, you would be better off getting a nice dog.

It is my duty to inform the House that a Speaker of this House has been duly elected. It is with great pleasure that I do now invite the hon. member for the electoral district of Nipissing—Timiskaming to take the chair.

[Election of the Speaker, December 5th, 2019]

Order. I think everyone saw the white smoke.

A number of members have asked me how I could keep my seat for 35 years in a row through 11 elections. I have three little pieces of advice.

First, you need to be able to manage your frustrations, because politics is one frustration after another. You will come to know this, especially the new members.

Second, I would say that you must be prepared and speak intelligently. I would like to share a story. In the first month after my arrival in 1984, I made three statements, two of which contradicted my party's platform. At my first caucus meeting, an old senator told me that he wanted to talk to me. I say “old”, but I would not consider him very old today. He brought me to his office and asked if I wanted to stay in politics for a long time. I told him yes. He told me to look at the wall, where a magnificent stuffed fish was mounted. He told me that had the fish kept its mouth shut, it would still be alive.

[Election of the Speaker, December 5th, 2019]

Before I suspend the sitting may I bring to the attention of members that when the counting of the ballots has been completed the bells to call the members back to the House will be sounded.

The sitting is suspended to the call of the Chair.

(The sitting of the House was suspended at 11:18 a.m.)

[Election of the Speaker, December 5th, 2019]

If there are any hon. members who have not voted and wish to do so, will they please vote now.

All members having voted, I do now instruct the Clerk to proceed with the counting of the ballots after I have cast my ballot.

[Election of the Speaker, December 5th, 2019]

Pursuant to the Standing Orders, the House will now proceed to elect a Speaker. The names of the eligible candidates are listed on the ballot in alphabetical order.

After the Clerk has opened the envelope containing the ballots, I will suggest a method of proceeding which will help to accelerate the voting process.

I repeat that the names of the eligible candidates are listed in alphabetical order on the ballot. After the Clerk has unsealed the ballots, I will suggest a method of proceeding which will help to accelerate the voting process. The Clerk will issue the ballots.

We are now prepared to begin to vote according to the provisions of Standing Order 4. Please allow me to outline the procedure for all hon. members.

The names of the candidates for the election are listed in alphabetical order on the ballot. To vote, you will rank the candidates in order of preference by recording the number “1” beside your first choice, the number “2” beside your second choice, and so on, until you have indicated all your choices. Please note that you do not have to rank all the candidates.

In order to vote, I will ask that members leave their desks, exit through the curtains and come to the table using the doors on the left and right sides of the chair on their respective sides of the House. A clerk will issue to each member a ballot paper.

After casting their ballots, members are asked to leave the voting area.

The polling booths are now open to vote.

(Members were issued ballots and marked their ballots in secret at voting stations)

[Election of the Speaker, December 5th, 2019]

Before I suspend the sitting for 30 minutes, I bring to the attention of hon. members that the bells to call the members back to the House will be sounded for not more than five minutes.

The sitting is suspended to the call of the Chair.

(The sitting of the House was suspended at 10:12 a.m.)

[Election of the Speaker, December 5th, 2019]

I will invite Bruce Stanton, the member for the electoral district of Simcoe North, to address the House for five minutes.

[Election of the Speaker, December 5th, 2019]

I will now invite Anthony Rota, the hon. member for the electoral district of Nipissing—Timiskaming, to speak for no more than five minutes.