Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today in the House to pay tribute to the hon. member from York South—Weston on his third anniversary as an independent member of the House.
When the Liberal government broke its promise to scrap, kill and abolish the GST, it was this man who refused to be another Liberal sheep, bleating on cue.
When the Liberal whips forced their members to vote against the wishes of their constituents on the dreaded tax, it was this man who stood alone in the Liberal caucus and said “no way”.
When the Liberals decided they had no room in their party for a man of integrity, it was this man who successfully convinced his constituents that they no longer need the tired Liberal label.
That is why tonight I am proud to join the hon. member from York South—Weston and the hon member from Markham at the united alternative town hall meeting.
Tonight, we will mark the end of unaccountable, one-party dominance in the country and mark the beginning of a united alternative to an arrogant, out of touch Liberal government.