Mr. Speaker, I certainly would like to join my colleagues in the Conservative Party and indeed all members of the House in thanking you for your long years of service, I think you said 16 years. Sometimes it is hard to imagine that time goes by so rapidly. Sixteen years is a long time. On behalf of the New Democratic Party I would like to offer our very best wishes, and our thanks and gratitude for the service that you have provided to us in the House.
We certainly know that it is not always easy being in that chair and trying to keep all of us in some semblance of order and civility. We all know that you have done that with honour and with great respect for members of the House. We thank you for that.
I am sure that your constituents will miss you very much and all that you have done. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours. Again, thank you for your many years of dedicated service to us, to all members of the House and to the people of Canada.