Mr. Speaker, Canadian broadcasting says farewell to a giant of journalism today, and we are going to be the poorer for it.
Don Newman, the face and voice of political commentary on the CBC, is stepping down from his long-standing broadcast today. From his desk, he held prime ministers and many of us to account with tough questions, direct interchange and discussion of the important issues of the day.
I remember the first time I sat across from his desk was slightly intimidating, but he was very fair and, more than that, he opened up with a self-deprecating humour that Canadians across the country have come to love.
I wish Don the very best, as do all New Democrats, on his last official broadcast. We wish him well for many years to come. I am sure we will hear his distinctive voice from time to time, but I do not think anybody else will be able to say, “The spin stops here” the way Don Newman does.
Thank you, Don.