Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice, the voice of my party colleagues on the Senate side and obviously that of the member for Saint John to all other members in the House to pay tribute to Ernest Manning.
He was a Canadian who had an enduring political career that in itself speaks to the values he espoused and also speaks to the values recognized in him by the men and women, Canadians all across the country, who were called from time to time to confirm and reaffirm their confidence in this great man.
He left an indelible mark on the country. From time to time Canadians may want to search their memories and look back on some of his views as we look to the future. For example, in 1981 he had his own views on the patriation process the country was confronted with. As we examine the situation we are in today there is no doubt there was some wisdom in the words he spoke at that time with regard to changes being proposed to the country.
Obviously his influence was beyond his own generation. Evidence is that we have today here in the House of Commons his son, the leader of the Reform Party, who has had some success, I am sorry to say for Conservatives in some regard, in his own political career.
I extend to him and to his family and to Mrs. Manning our very deep gratitude for having supported him, Mr. Ernest Manning, through those years. I extend our deep appreciation for his devotion to Canada and also our condolences at this time.
It may be of some interest to Mr. Manning and to all the Mannings and those who worked with the family from time to time to know that his influence went way beyond Alberta. Though I never had the honour of meeting him, I do have very fond
memories of his voice, something passed on from generation to generation through the magic of radio.
My other was a very devout Catholic. In our home in the kitchen after dinner in the evenings I remember very well her listening to the radio show of Ernest Manning. I still remember the jingle. I can still remember that voice and the words. She was a very big fan of Mr. Manning, although I should say for his ideas with regard to Christianity and its basic values.
Through my youth this voice was very familiar in our home in Sherbrooke, Quebec, thousands of miles away from wherever he was speaking. In that respect his influence has gone beyond the political forum into every area of our lives. We are appreciative of that.
Again, to Preston Manning and to his family we send our very deep condolences.