Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate your intervention. I thought it was most appropriate.
I would go on to say in respect of the Hon. Jack Pickersgill that while his influence was in virtually all aspects of policies and politics, I think it is important that success to him would appear to have been measured in large part by those accomplishments he could achieve on behalf of all Canadians.
It is a mark of the man and a solid indication of his values that, despite the power and influence he possessed, there were two accomplishments of which he was exceptionally proud. One was the provision of unemployment insurance for fishermen. The other was the provision of a place in Canada for 35,000 Hungarian refugees who became exemplary citizens.
On that note, as we take this opportunity to pay tribute today to Jack Pickersgill, it is imperative that we acknowledge his unfailing commitment to Canada. During this period in our history when we are being asked to reflect on the question of unity, let us learn from Jack's devotion and his strong belief in a better future to rededicate ourselves to ensuring a nation strong and indivisible.
Having worked steadfastly to help build many of the institutions that Canadians enjoy today, let us also take a moment to give thanks and recognize these contributions.
On a personal note, I am extremely proud to have known him as you have, Mr. Speaker, and am honoured to have considered him a dear friend. We did not spend a lot of time together but the moments we did spend were precious. His larger than life counsel and his advice were always beneficial; his wit and his wisdom always inspirational.
Given the privilege that we both have had to serve the people of Newfoundland in Parliament, he in Bonavista—Twillingate and I in almost a mirror image of that riding, Bonavista—Trinity—Conception, I know that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in particular will always have for him a special place in their hearts. The public contributions he made during his lifetime were remarkable. His personal impact on those whose lives he touched was equally as significant.
I recall the first time I saw him as a young boy, observing him through the picket fence on the grounds of the Orange Lodge in Bonavista as he campaigned in the early days with Joey Smallwood. Even then I was struck by his commanding presence and his lasting and reassuring smile.
While Canada mourns the loss of an exceptional leader whose indelible mark has been left on the national stage, let us give thanks for Jack Pickersgill and for his tremendous legacy. Dedicated to his constituency and committed to his country, the personal and public achievements of Jack Pickersgill are the pillars upon which this nation has been built.
By way of conclusion, in his book Seeing Canada Whole , he describes his family values this way “The friendship of our children for their parents and for each other has been a great reward for Margaret and me. Despite two great wars and some personal sorrows, mine has been a happy life. The half century of living with Margaret has been the supreme experience of this happy life”.
Jack will always be remembered as a rare Canadian treasure. To his widow, Margaret Pickersgill, and to their family, I am sure that all our colleagues join me here, in the Parliament that he so loved, in expressing our heartfelt condolences.