Mr. Speaker, as the last interim leader still standing, it is my pleasure to join in the tribute.
I hope the member will appreciate that I will be speaking perhaps with a little humour about the challenges she has faced because I know of some of the challenges that I have faced: the unending deference, affection and loyalty of my colleagues at all times, the lack of criticism that marks every day both publicly and privately.
The member for Hull—Aylmer has discovered what I consider to be one of the basic rules of political life, that the only times people say something nice are the first couple days upon arrival and then the last couple days on the job, and in-between it is a mixture.
I want to say quite seriously to the hon. member that, in the time she has been here, to have been put in leadership of her party as a new member was a tough challenge, but a challenge she met with good humour, great dignity and great ability. I congratulate her for the work she has done and for the strength she continues show.
I also want to say to her and all of us in the House that there are several things in which she can take great pride, such as the fact that there was never a note of nastiness or negativity in the style of her questions. She brought real passion and concern to the issues that affect all of us and it is something that we on our side took note of.
We have watched her performance with great respect, particularly on the changes she has advocated for in the field of education affecting aboriginal people. The proof will be in the pudding on Thursday as to what the impact of that will be, but I know she has brought great passion to that issue as have a number of other members in the House.
I want to tell my colleague that, as interim leader, I am well aware of the challenges of this job. She did it with great honour, much integrity and a good sense of humour, and always with a sense of the importance of her work and without taking herself too seriously. I congratulate her on the job that she has done, but I know that she will continue to contribute to the work of the House of Commons for many years to come. Her political career has just started, and now, as a member, she will frequently have an opportunity to take part in debates and to continue what she has started.
I would also like to take this opportunity to say one or two kind words about the new leader. He must understand that this will not happen very often in the future, but it is important to do this as he takes up his new responsibilities. His remarkable victory at the convention did not go unnoticed by the Liberal Party. We congratulate him and wish him every success in the future, but not necessarily the kind of success to which he refers regularly in his speeches.
Finally, this has been a good opportunity for the House to truly congratulate the member for Hull—Aylmer for the remarkable job she has done and that she will continue to do, I am certain.