Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues in the NDP caucus, I would also like to express our appreciation to the hon. member for Perth—Middlesex for the work he has done in this chamber and for the distinguished service he has rendered to the Canadian public, not only as a parliamentarian but, as has already been mentioned, as an educator and through his career in the Canadian armed forces.
We regret that he felt he had to make the decision he made today, but we appreciate it. We recognize the personal courage it takes to make such a decision and then to come to the House.
We welcome the opportunity to wish him well. Our thoughts and prayers will be with him and his family in the days ahead and in the future.