Mr. Speaker, I too rise today on behalf of the Official Opposition to recognize the years of public service of Jack Pickersgill. He lived from 1905 until 1997.
The member from Newfoundland just made reference to Jack Pickersgill and the book that he wrote, Seeing Canada Whole . It is amazing to think that Jack Pickersgill was born in Ontario, grew up on a farm in Manitoba and then later served in Parliament from a riding in Newfoundland. Maybe he really did see Canada whole. He served under and was an adviser to three Liberal Prime Ministers, Mackenzie King, Louis St. Laurent and Lester Pearson. He also worked with and against, I suppose, and helped orchestrate the downfall of John Diefenbaker in the 1960s.
Mr. Pickersgill served as a member of the original rat pack, or the four horsemen as they were called then. His specialty was Question Period and I understand he loved it. He enjoyed the cut and thrust of debate and was perhaps the king of the one-liners.
He is referred to in many articles as, and I quote: “A master story teller and tactician with a razor wit.” That is certainly a good thing to have in this place. A good sense of humour does not do any of us any harm.
Let me just pay tribute again to Jack Pickersgill and say that our sympathy as the official opposition goes out to his family. We are grateful for someone who spent so many years in public life.