Dear colleagues, I wish to address my remarks directly to Lucien Lamoureux's children, Michel, Sylvie and Adèle, who are here today.
Obviously, I am speaking on behalf of my colleagues in the House of Commons, as well as on behalf of those here with us today who, like Lucien Lamoureux, once occupied this chair. I join with you in paying tribute to the late Mr. Lamoureux, who, as was pointed out, was the Speaker from 1966 to 1974.
We share his family's sense of loss, but we want to join with them in celebrating his life.
Naturally, for all of us here in the House, and especially for me, one of his successors, what we will remember most is his distinguished contribution to the House of Commons and to parliamentary democracy throughout the world.
As the occupant of this chair, Mr. Lamoureux set a standard to be emulated. This was said by the hon. member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast and I agree with him. His eloquence and his unfailing fairness in judging the matters brought before him are often praised, as they have been today.
What I personally have been struck by is Speaker Lamoureux's gift for perspective when rendering a decision. He was always careful to consider the specifics of the matter before him and to decide the case accordingly. Perhaps even more importantly for us who are here, he was always aware of the future consequences of the decisions he rendered for the institution, this institution which he so cherished.
Lucien Lamoureux presided over this House at a critical juncture in its procedural development. His wisdom guides us still as we continue that evolution.
At the international level, Speaker Lamoureux took the initiative of creating in 1969 the Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers. The words of its preamble best describe this initiative. “Commonwealth Speakers and presiding officers, irrespective of race, colour, religion or culture, are united by community of interest, respect for the rule of law and pursuit of the ideals of parliamentary democracy”.
The conference that he began aims to maintain, foster and encourage the impartiality and fairness of speakers and presiding officers of parliaments through the promotion of knowledge and the understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms, and to develop parliamentary institutions.
Some members have spoken today about their personal relationship with Mr. Lamoureux. I did not have the pleasure of ever meeting him and I regret that a great deal. Too long I postponed making direct contact with one of these, yes, one of the giants of us, the Speakers of the House of Commons. We look to his decisions and we look to the manner with which he conducted himself and the business of this place.
At Kingsmere where Mr. Lamoureux lived, where I now live and these Speakers lived, he planted six trees that are there and are growing. When he planted them, I am told they were about seven feet high. Even after the ice storm, three of them survived to full growth and they are well over 35 feet now. There are many trees at Kingsmere of course. Those trees were there with Mackenzie King and Mr. Lamoureux's trees are there now.
I think it is symbolic that he planted something that continues to grow. We here in parliament are the recipients of the seeds of his wise decisions. My colleagues and I who have sat in this chair realize full well the responsibilities of a Speaker. You, my colleagues in this House, you too realize the importance of this institution to all of us.
We have lost a great Canadian. He was ours. He belonged to the House of Commons. He belonged to Canada. Yes, he belonged to you and you were good enough to share him with us. We thank you for that.