Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate you on your election. I served on a committee under you and you were always very fair, which I think helped lead to your election.
Also, as the first chance I have, I want to thank my constituents. It was very heartening to me while going door to door when many thanked me for what I had done in the past. I take that very seriously and hope I can live up to the trust they have placed in me.
I also thank the Conservative, NDP, and Green parties, and the workers of every party who were soldiers of democracy.
Most of all, I thank my wife Melissa and my children, Dawson and Aurora, as they missed so much time with me.
I would like to thank the member for an excellent and very positive speech, particularly on national parks. I applaud what he said.
Just to remind people, the $25 million in cuts in 2012 really hurt us. We are going to put that back and $25 million more for ecosystems. In 2017, the 150th anniversary, the parks will be free for everyone. After that, they will be forever free for children, and the year after, free for one year for new Canadians, which I think is very exciting.
Finally, there is to be a huge increase in marine parks in Canada to help us catch up to the rest of the world and protect those ecosystems.
I hope the member is in support of all of those items.