Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my Liberal colleagues it is my distinct honour to pay tribute to a lifelong friend of not only me but my father, a political mentor and a simply marvellous human being.
The late James W. Baskin, Jim, was a hale and hearty horseman, energetic entrepreneur and a passionate politician.
Although he was equally proficient in those three professions, I believe I named them in his order of personal preference.
Jim knew that sooner or later the race of time, with sickle and tireless stride, Wins every race at last, And pass them all on the home stretch No matter how game or how fast; The eyes would grow dim, the wrinkles creep Over the face that we seem to know, Time has been lashing us year by year And making us heavily blow. But furrows and seems and lines of care With a twinge in the knees and back, Just whispers it low to us, You're getting too old for the track; “Age is nothing—it's the bloodlines that tell” J.W. Baskin, the veteran said, And he drove Cimarron and won the race. Now he sits on his sulky, dead. A wonderful race is this race for life, Some seem to be stayers and last, While others break down at the head of the stretch By rushing the quarters too fast: Go steady my friend, go steady, And the record you still may lower, But let it be said that you were fair and square When your race for life is over.
Whether on the race track, in his business as a lumberman and hotelier, or here in his beloved House of Commons, Jim Baskin was a true valley lad, a fairminded individual with an unimpeachable record of service to his fellow man.
He served his cherished constituency of Renfrew South from 1957 to 1963 with diligence, determination and distinction, all cornerstones of the political philosophy of Jim Baskin.
Life was no brief candle for Jim Baskin. He looked upon it as a sort of splendid torch that he got hold of for a moment and wanted to make it burn as brightly as possible before passing it on to the next generation. And that he did.
He was a colourful, charismatic member of parliament who always took a leadership role. He never, ever abdicated his responsibilities and duties as a parliamentarian.
He was a shining, sterling example of excellence who made each and every one of us look good. To his family I say a most heartfelt and sincere thank you for having given us the absolute privilege of having Jim Baskin serve as a federal member of parliament. He was a winner in politics. He was a winner in business and he was a winner on the race track.
I would not hesitate to wager that somewhere out there in the vast field of life father time will make one last call of the homestretch drive to the wire by saying “And charging to the front of the field in a blaze of glory is James W. Baskin who once again will grace the winner's circle”.
Goodbye my friend, Jim. It has been a pleasure knowing you. You have done a great job. No one could have done better. As a matter of fact, you were a true champion in every sense of the word.