Mr. Speaker, as a Canadian of Irish heritage, it is my honour to rise today to commemorate the tragic assassination of a great Irishman, a great Canadian, a member of Parliament and father of confederation, Thomas D'Arcy McGee, who was gunned down as he was leaving this House 150 years ago on April 7.
Born in Ireland, he emigrated to America and gained prominence as a journalist and advocate for the rights and freedoms that we cherish today. Although in his youth he supported the independence of his birth country, which the Fenians fought for, he rejected their violent cause, stating:
“Leave the old troubles in the old country.”
It was allegedly the Fenians who assassinated this great man who worked so hard with MacDonald and Cartier to found our Confederation.
Earlier this month, the St. Patrick's Society of Montreal celebrated this great man in true Irish style.
I ask all members of this House to join with me now to commemorate in one voice the Hon. Thomas D'Arcy McGee as the wisest, the bravest, and the best of mankind.