Thanks, John.
As you will recall, at our last meeting things got quite heated between me and my Conservative colleague from South Shore—St. Margarets. I'll be brief, but I would like to speak to that.
I want to say that a former Conservative leader, in his last speech in the House as leader, raised concerns about performance politics fuelling polarization and about too many politicians chasing algorithms, clicks and “likes” towards diversion and division. I want to be clear: There's no place in the House or committee for personal and unwarranted attacks on a member's integrity, their work ethic or ability to exercise independence, which I would know, as I've exercised on countless occasions since I was elected in 2015. One shouldn't chase “likes” if it means embracing character assassination. It's toxic and unparliamentary, and it's going to push good people out of politics. We should call that behaviour out.
At the same time, I could and should have used parliamentary language in calling out that behaviour, because instead of contributing to a solution, I missed the mark. I retract those comments. We should all act how we want this place to be.
Thanks.