Debates of May 26th, 2025

The 44th Parliament having been dissolved by proclamation on Sunday, March 23, 2025, and writs having been issued and returned, a new Parliament was summoned to meet for the dispatch of business on Monday, May 26, 2025, and did accordingly meet on that day.

Monday, May 26, 2025

This being the day on which Parliament was convoked by proclamation of Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada for the dispatch of business, and the members of the House being assembled:

Eric Janse, Clerk of the House of Commons, read to the House a letter from the Administrative Secretary to the Governor General informing him that the Deputy Governor General would proceed to the Senate chamber today at eight o'clock to open the first session of the 45th Parliament of Canada.

A message was delivered by the Usher of the Black Rod as follows:

Honourable Members of the House of Commons:

It is the desire of the Right Honourable Deputy of Her Excellency the Governor General that this honourable House attend him immediately in the chamber of the Senate.

Accordingly, the House went up to the Senate chamber, where the Speaker of the Senate said:

Honourable Members of the Senate, Members of the House of Commons:

I have it in command to let you know that His Majesty the King does not see fit to declare the causes of his summoning the present Parliament of Canada until a Speaker of the House of Commons shall have been chosen, according to law; but tomorrow, Tuesday, May 27, at the hour of 10:15 a.m., His Majesty the King will declare the causes of his calling Parliament.

And the House being returned to the Commons chamber:

[The Clerk of the House]

Honourable members, pursuant to Standing Order 3, I invite Mr. Plamondon, member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel—Alnôbak, to take the chair as the member presiding over the election of the Speaker.

Election of Speaker

[The Presiding Officer, Louis Plamondon]

I want to congratulate everyone who won a seat. This is a meaningful thing to do at an important time. No one can enter here without wearing the mantle of democracy. That is what those who are present here are doing, and I want to commend them for that. I see that there are many new MPs.

Many of them seem young to me, and it is no doubt one of them who will beat my 41-year record. I want to give these younger members some advice that I have given before here in the House: It is very important to be able to manage your frustrations, because there will always be frustrating things about this job. Why am I not the one asking the question? Why was I not appointed as a minister? Why am I not a critic? However, frustration fades with time.

My second piece of advice for new members is to speak only when you have something intelligent to say. I am saying this in French because if I were to say it in English, members would need interpretation since I have a very thick accent. As members know, we have the best journalists in Canada here, and they only do interviews with good reason, so we need to be well prepared. One wrong word can sometimes change the course of a career.

I want to tell you a story I have shared with other members of Parliament. When I was first elected in 1984, it took a month and a half before we set foot in Parliament. As a new MP, I made three statements that contradicted my party's platform. After our first caucus meeting, an older senator asked me to come to his office. At the time, he seemed old to me, but I now believe that it is sometimes better to be of a certain age. I went to his office and he told me that the meeting would be very short. He told me to look at the magnificent stuffed fish that was mounted on the wall. The senator then said to me, “You see, young man, if that fish had kept its mouth shut, it would still be alive. It is pretty much the same in politics.”

All members should have received by email last night the list of candidates for the speakership, the list of members who have withdrawn and the list of members who are ineligible as candidates. These lists are also available at the table and on ourcommons.ca. Members are to consult them before the vote.

Before proceeding, I would invite those members whose names are on the ballot but who do not wish to be considered for election to kindly rise and inform the Chair accordingly.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Chair, dean of the House of Commons, I am very pleased to see you presiding over the election of a Speaker for the seventh time, and I wish to inform you that I am withdrawing my name from the list of candidates.

[Chris d'Entremont, Conservative, Acadie—Annapolis, NS]

A good Speaker knows when to keep their speeches short.

Mr. Chair, I would ask you to withdraw my name from the ballot, please.

[The Presiding Officer, Louis Plamondon]

Further to those statements, the list of candidates is revised accordingly.

In all, there will be six candidates.

Pursuant to Standing Order 3.1, the House must proceed to the speeches from each candidate for the Speakership.

Notwithstanding any standing order, any usual procedure or any practice adopted by this House, and to help the newly elected members identify the candidates for the office of Speaker, I will recognize in alphabetical order each candidate by name and electoral district.

When the last candidate to address the House completes his or her speech, I will leave the chair for 30 minutes, after which members will proceed to the election of the Speaker.

I will now call upon Sean Casey, the hon. member for Charlottetown, to address the House for not more than five minutes.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Mr. Chair, I wish to start by acknowledging that we are on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin people, who have lived here for millennia. We recognize the enduring presence of first nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in this territory.

Decorum, civility and respect for Parliament and the office of the Speaker have declined at an accelerating pace over the last decade. From 2003 to 2017, not a single member of Parliament was asked to withdraw for disregarding the authority of the Speaker. Compare that to the last eight years, when nine members have been kicked out of the chamber for violating the rules of debate, refusing to withdraw unparliamentary language, failing to apologize for their conduct and defying the Speaker. I have witnessed almost all of these incidents, and, frankly, there should have been more expulsions.

What is worse is that this lack of respect for Parliament has actually been used as ammunition to raise funds. Sadly, this demonstrates the current state of decorum. It is not okay. That is why I stand before you to offer my candidacy for the office of Speaker, and I do so with some degree of optimism.

We, the members, are the only ones who can restore respect for our institutions. Roughly one-third of the members in the House today are new. I assume that none of them campaigned on a promise to be the best heckler or to figure out how to insult or belittle other members, let alone the Speaker.

I have no doubt that they promised to passionately, vigorously and effectively represent the voices and values of their constituents and to remain focused on them rather than the next Instagram reel. Newly elected members have an important role to play in the reset that is needed to restore respect in the House and in the Speaker's office.

I also hold out hope for returning members in wanting a reset. After thousands of interactions with constituents during the course of the campaign, I cannot imagine that anyone held up the current state of civility in Parliament with pride. We owe Canadians a genuine effort to raise the bar in how we treat each other. A new session with so many new faces offers a fresh start and a real chance to lead by example.

If you agree that the conditions and the timing are right to make a meaningful change, then I offer my experience and approach to lead that reset.

Before entering into politics, I was a lawyer and businessman. As a litigator, I had a duty to uphold the administration of justice. Professional courtesy toward opposing counsel and zealous representation of my client were integral to that duty. Experience and mastery of procedural rules were essential to being effective. That career instilled in me the principles of fairness, structure and impartiality, which are essential qualities for the speakership.

I was first elected to Parliament in 2011. For four years, I was one of only two new members of the third party. After winning re-election in 2015, I was successively appointed parliamentary secretary for three different ministers. More recently, I chaired two standing committees.

I became an MP at 48 and have since focused on becoming bilingual. I obtained level C last year. I am extremely proud of that accomplishment.

I have served with four different Speakers and have learned what works and what does not. First, it is vitally important for the Speaker to set the tone early and rigorously. A collegial approach, cajoling repeat offenders, has proven ineffective. The current state of debate requires the consistent application of progressive discipline. I offer the experience, the tone and the temperament to deliver exactly that.

I would be honoured, with your support, to lead a collective effort to rebuild respect in Parliament.

[The Presiding Officer, Louis Plamondon]

I will now call upon Greg Fergus, the hon. member for Hull—Aylmer, to address the House for not more than five minutes.

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Chair, I recognize that we are gathered on the unceded traditional territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin people.

Since time immemorial, indigenous nations have gathered here to exchange ideas, share and work together. That is what Canadians expect of us here in the House of Commons. Today, a similar spirit brings us together. Some of us are here for the first time, while others have been here since 1984.

I was elected Speaker of the House during the second half of a minority Parliament. When I was elected, I promised to be a thoughtful and collaborative Speaker, who was at the service of parliamentarians.

In that Parliament, tempers ran high and co-operation was low. It was in that context that I learned the ropes of the job, often getting it right, and when I did not, putting in place measures to continually improve. To be frank, it would have been a difficult time for anyone in that role.

We find ourselves in a new minority Parliament. A new Parliament is a new beginning, but we do not have to start at the beginning. Although I continue to stand by my values of mutual respect between members, the business of Parliament must get done, with transparency, integrity and accountability and without gamesmanship. This is what Canadians expect from us.

In my first question period, I asked my colleagues to treat me like a new car: try not to get a dent on me on the first day. Well, I got one day. There are now a couple of dents, but I am still running. I am now a reliable car with experience. That is how I learned what all Speakers eventually discover: You do not become Speaker by just putting on the robes; you learn the role through experience.

Robes do not a Speaker make; it comes with experience. I already have that experience under my belt, and I want to put it to work for and to the benefit of the 45th Parliament.

Presiding over the debates of the House is the most visible part of the role. However, the Speaker's diplomatic role is just as important.

More than ever, Canada needs friendships around the world. From the early days of my Speakership, I insisted that Canada show solidarity with Ukraine, and I am proud to have organized an all-party parliamentary mission to Ukraine. During the long train ride into Ukraine under the cover of darkness with the protection of the Canadian Armed Forces, I was seated with my colleagues from the Conservatives, the Bloc, the NDP and the Liberals. Working together, we developed lasting friendships with the Ukrainians and strengthened their network of support in their time of need. This is another example of Parliament at its best.

It is more important than ever that Canada have strong friendships worldwide. I have forged friendships around the world to advance the interests of our Parliament. Among other things, this experience will contribute to the success of the G7 meeting that the Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada will host later this summer.

The Speaker plays another role right here. As CEO of more than 2,500 employees of the House of Commons, I support the services that underpin the rights and privileges of parliamentarians.

Under my speakership, money was well spent. We took steps never taken before. We started a new audit process. We implemented robust new security measures in and around Parliament Hill, in your constituencies, at your offices and at your homes. We did this so you and your family can feel safe while you do your job.

Given this wealth of experience, I am seeking your support for my re-election. I have the experience it takes to start making the necessary changes today.

This car has a few dents, but it also has character. The engine is strong, and I know the road. Let us go together.

[The Presiding Officer, Louis Plamondon]

I will now call upon Alexandra Mendès, the hon. member for Brossard—Saint-Lambert, to speak to the House for five minutes.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

Dear colleagues, I rise today to let my name stand to be your Speaker. I will try to be brief and to the point.

Unlike other colleagues, I did not spend the last few days on emails or phone calls asking for your support. This is mostly because, as some of you may know, I was diagnosed with cancer at the end of January, and I have been undergoing intense treatment ever since.

Thanks to a phenomenal team and the many volunteers who raised their hand to help me through the campaign, I find myself representing the citizens of Brossard—Saint-Lambert once more, and I could not be more grateful.

After a successful re-election, I wanted to ensure my health situation would allow me to stand for this role. I spent many hours reflecting on my next steps, both at a personal and at a professional level.

I wish to take this moment to thank many of you in this chamber who sent me messages of encouragement in the past weeks and months. From text messages to phone calls and emails, your heartfelt words meant a great deal to me during these challenging times.

My oncologist has stated in no uncertain terms that I would have no problem serving as Speaker of the House. I have experience; my five years as Assistant Deputy Speaker have taught me what it takes to provide members with an environment conducive to respectfully debating ideas in compliance with the standing orders agreed upon through successive parliaments. I am not here to stand against anyone. I am here because certain convictions have led me to believe that it is possible to approach our responsibilities as parliamentarians in a different manner.

I have never been a parliamentary secretary or a minister, nor have I held any government role. I have been a privileged backbencher, but a backbencher nonetheless.

We are 343 individuals selected from among 40 million Canadian citizens to legislate on matters pertaining to their present lives and, now more than ever, their future.

Some of those responsibilities include and depend on the constant quest for truthfulness and the common good. I also believe that one of our responsibilities is to find joy in the work we do. Loving what we do, this place where we do it and the people who help us do it is, for me, a fundamental aspect of a successful parliamentary life. It cannot, and it should not, be all about insults and accusations, about gotcha moments and questionable statements. This is the place where Canada's most important conversations should be held, where we seriously debate and humorously disagree.

The ability to find just the right words is an art that I admire, and so many of you, my colleagues, are amazing at it. Oratorical skill, combined with mutual respect and the most basic standards of politeness, are exactly what our debates should always reflect.

Holding the government to account is the essential element of parliamentary democracy. No government is immune to the necessary scrutiny of its proposed legislation or its management of the public accounts, but Canadians have told us time and time again that they expect us to do this with far more civility than they have seen in this place most days. Should I be given the honour of being elected to the role of the Chair, I would strive with all my might to bring dignity to our debates.

I believe in the rules and regulations that govern the House of Commons. I believe in the office of the Speaker, which oversees the functioning and administration of this place. I trust the Clerk and the table officers, who guide us and provide us with their knowledge and their independent analysis.

Dignity is a principle very close to my heart. No one in this House, parliamentarian or otherwise, should have their human dignity ignored. We must at least say thank you to the pages who bring us a glass of water or a lectern. We must acknowledge the monumental work done by the interpreters. We must recognize the delicate task that falls to the table officers. Finally, we must accept that, despite our differences, we are all here with the same goal in mind, which is to pass good laws.

Our predecessors fought hard for our rights as parliamentarians. It is our duty to uphold them with conviction and honour.

Finally, I offer my colleagues a 21st-century argument: Is it not time for a woman to be elected Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada?

[The Presiding Officer, Louis Plamondon]

I will now call upon Robert Oliphant, the hon. member for Don Valley West, to address the House for not more than five minutes.

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Mr. Chair, thank you for presiding with the expertise and sense of humour we have come to know. I think you have a promising career ahead of you.

I want to start by congratulating each and every member on their election, especially if it is their first win.

I remember when I was first elected. I walked into the chamber, which was then in Centre Block. It was in 2008. I am a minister of the United Church of Canada, so neo-Gothic buildings, the stained glass and the ceremony were hardly new, but I was still overwhelmed to be in the Parliament of Canada with honourable colleagues, from all parties, doing our best to live up to the lofty expectations of those who sent us here.

I still feel that sense of awe, but after 17 years, it has dimmed. It has become more difficult, and sometimes even painful, to be in here. Dignity has diminished, and decorum has declined. Respect for one another and this institution is woefully lacking.

Canadians have noticed. This was confirmed for me at the many doors I knocked on recently. I suspect that everyone in this room has had that experience in the same way. Canadians are watching.

That being said, knowing we have a colossal task ahead of us, it is with great humility and some trepidation that I have decided to put my name forward to become Speaker.

My first Speaker was the Hon. Peter Milliken. I did not know he would be in the gallery today. For me, he embodied what it means to be a parliamentarian. I was in opposition, and in a moment of passion, I once went a little too far with a comment. Speaker Milliken rose. He then dropped his head, raised his eyebrow and asked me to withdraw the comment. I am a politician. I love debate. I love spice in the House, but I felt, at that moment, that I had disappointed the Speaker. I had disappointed him. I withdrew the remark, as I did not want to let down my colleagues in the House or the people who had sent me here to represent them. It was the raising of an eyebrow.

I say this because the Speaker's authority, the ability to provide leadership, maintain order, protect members' rights and privileges, and have credibility inside and outside of the House, comes from members having trust and respect in not only the office of the Speaker but also the Speaker herself or himself.

It takes more than just the appearance of impartiality. The Speaker must be truly impartial. They need to have served on both sides of the House and held several roles. They must be familiar with the kind of pressure that members face, regardless of their party or position. The authority of Speaker cannot be given to a person just because they understand parliamentary privilege. They must uphold that privilege every day.

Authority is, of course, rooted in competence, credentials and character, but it is more than that. It comes from being calm in the midst of chaos and dispassionate in the heat of debate. It comes from humility, accountability and empathy. It comes from having a sense of humour that cuts through pretense and posturing, and calms the moment.

A Speaker should not be elected just because they respect both official languages but because they live in both of those languages every day. My partner of 33 years is a proud Quebecker who was born and raised in Rimouski. Not only does he teach me French, but he also helps me understand what an asset the French fact in Canada is for all of us.

As a parliamentarian, I hope to preside over Parliament with dignity, and I will say, zero tolerance for behaviour that diminishes any one of us with consistently applied consequences for unparliamentary behaviour, no matter where it comes from. As a former accountant, I hope to excel as a chief administrator of this place. As former parliamentary secretary to the the minister of foreign affairs, I hope to represent Parliament faithfully and carefully around the world and in Canada. I believe I can do all three of these key roles.

In my role as another kind of minister, I led congregations across Canada, leading people in good times and bad, breaking down barriers that divided people and attempting to lead them in common purpose. People have often asked what the difference is between being an MP and clergy. I pray more now.

However, I do not want to pray. I want to do something about it. I would like to be your Speaker. I would like to be the custodian of the chair that belongs you.

Thank you in advance for your support.

[The Presiding Officer, Louis Plamondon]

You mentioned my career. When I was elected back in 1984, there were no cellphones, no Internet, no fax machines. It was heaven.

I now invite Sherry Romanado, the hon. member of Parliament for Longueuil—Charles‑LeMoyne, to speak for up to five minutes.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Mr. Chair, it is with humility and deep respect that I am putting my name forward today as a candidate for Speaker of the House of Commons.

To those members who are returning to the House, welcome back. It is wonderful to see so many familiar faces. To those newly elected, I extend a warm welcome. Each of us has earned the trust of our constituents and has a responsibility to represent the diverse voices of Canadians. Regardless of our party, region or perspective, we are united in our shared duty to serve our democracy with integrity and to uphold the institutions that sustain it.

It is no small matter to have the honour of presiding over the House of Commons, where these diverse voices come together, sometimes loudly, often passionately, to shape the course of our country. The Speaker has a solemn responsibility to preserve the dignity of Parliament, ensure fairness in debate and, perhaps most difficult of all, keep 343 highly intelligent and opinionated people somewhat on schedule.

The Speaker's role is non-partisan and founded on principles. It demands fairness and an unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and privileges of each member of Parliament. If I secure the support of this House, I pledge to treat all members equally, respectfully and impartially, because I know that democracy flourishes not when everyone agrees, but when everyone feels that their voice have been heard.

I bring nearly 10 years of parliamentary experience as a parliamentary secretary, deputy leader of the government, chair of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, and probably the only member who actually asked to sit on the procedure and House affairs committee.

As a fellow elected representative, I understand the demands of public service and the pressures we all face, but I also believe that impassioned debate and decorum are not mutually exclusive. The Speaker fulfills several key responsibilities: presiding over debates and ensuring the enforcement of rules and the preservation of order and decorum, acting as chief administrative officer of the House and representing the House in its external relations. Of these, the one I have heard the most about in my conversations over the past weeks is the preservation of decorum. On this, let me be very clear. I will be fair, firm and consistent.

The Standing Orders and House of Commons Procedure and Practice offer a solid framework to guide our work, and with nearly a third of members joining the House for the first time, it is especially important that the Speaker provide guidance, clarity and support. Expectations must be clearly communicated, and when rules are not followed, corrective action must be taken. In this regard, I have demonstrated my ability to lead impartially and keep order as the chair of the INDU committee.

My two sons will attest to my near obsession with rules and order. In fact, they both voluntarily enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces at age 16, believing that even the military was bound to have fewer rules than we had at home.

Above and beyond rules, the tone and culture of this place matter. In these times of uncertainty, when trust in institutions is being tested, we must renew our commitment to civility, transparency and respectful dialogue. Canadians are watching us, especially young Canadians. Our children and grandchildren are paying attention to how we speak to one another, how we handle disagreement and how we uphold the principles of democracy. Let us give them something to be proud of.

I also believe in a modern, accessible Parliament that embraces new technologies, reflects the realities of Canadians and combines tradition with innovation. Parliament must evolve to adapt to the present, while preserving a foundation that has served us well for generations.

To put it plainly, I do not see the role of Speaker as a one-way street. It must be one that encourages a constant flow of ideas, viewpoints and suggestions on how we can make this institution stronger to work better for all members, which is ultimately for the people we are all here to serve. This is, after all, their House.

I have a vision of Parliament as a place that reflects the best of what we are as Canadians and what we stand for as parliamentarians.

If I have the honour of serving as Speaker, I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to this mission. I will be fair, firm and consistent to ensure that the House is strong, dignified and inclusive.

[The Presiding Officer, Bloc, Louis Plamondon]

I will now call upon Mr. Francis Scarpaleggia, the hon. member for Lac-Saint-Louis.

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Mr. Chair, I too would like to acknowledge that we are gathered today on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.

A little over 20 years ago, I took my seat in this House for the first time, in the very last row, in fact.

I took my seat in the House a little over 20 years ago. It was a proud moment, which is why I would like to offer a special congratulation to all the newly elected members who are taking their seats for the first time today. Whether we are in the first row or the last row, like the old Montreal Forum, there are no bad seats in this arena.

We are all equal here. We have all travelled the same road, faced challenges and come up against obstacles on the way to earning the honour and privilege of being the voices of our constituents in this Parliament. Canada's greatest asset is its democracy, and democracy lives and breathes here in this chamber.

Democracy does not end on election day. It is a living thing, and its home is here in this chamber. Ultimately, it is the quality of our democracy that makes our country strong. It reflects the strength of the nations, communities, provinces and regions that make up Canadian society.

It is rightly said that there can be no true freedom without order. Likewise, we cannot have a truly meaningful exchange of ideas without an orderly, rules-based House of Commons. There is nothing wrong with a clean, even board-rattling, polemical body check in the corners. I have been at the receiving end of a few. Robust debate is fundamental to a robust democracy, and a robust democracy is what makes for a resilient nation. The problem is when sticks go high.

[Some hon. members]

Elbows.

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

The elbows are for others, not for us.

Canadians want to see sticks on the ice, and it is the responsibility of the Speaker to make this so. I am an optimist; I believe it possible to skilfully and convincingly dissect and refute an argument without recourse to personal invective or intimidation. I have seen all colleagues from all parties achieve this standard.

More than 20 years of parliamentary experience has prepared me for the challenge of finding the right balance between respect and order on the one hand and vigorous debate that clarifies the issues on the other.

I have been around the block. Over the past 20 years, I have sat on both sides of the House. I sat on the opposition benches for 10 years, including when my party's future seemed rather uncertain. I have also sat for a total of 10 years on the government benches. I know both sides of the coin and am sensitive to the needs of colleagues on both sides of the House.

It is important to remember that the Speaker is also an administrator, overseeing the operations and services of the parliamentary precinct. My 20 years have given me a thorough understanding of the workings of the administrative apparatus on Parliament Hill and its regulatory framework.

We have a duty to Canadians and to ourselves, a duty to cultivate our parliamentary democracy in an increasingly turbulent world where many argue that democracy is just too inefficient and time-consuming.

Canada has always been about values. It was the will to affirm a distinct set of values on the upper half of the North American continent that led to the creation, against all odds, of this confederation of founding peoples and nations, and diverse and proud regions. While our neighbour to the south may be modern-day Rome in size and power, we are Athens in culture, values and democracy. That is how we must see ourselves. That is who we must be.

Sitting Suspended

[The Presiding Officer, Bloc, Louis Plamondon]

I will soon suspend the sitting for 30 minutes.

Before I do that, I would like to thank my entire team of volunteers for helping me get elected for the 13th time. I thank them for this exalted throne. I also want to thank my whole family. I do love this throne, but I will have to let the King borrow it tomorrow. The King is welcome to it. Actually, he will be sitting on the throne in the Senate.

I wish to remind hon. members that the bells to call the members back to the House will be sounded for not more than five minutes.

The sitting is suspended to the call of the Chair.

(The sitting of the House was suspended at 9:28 a.m.)

(The House resumed at 9:58 a.m.)

Sitting Resumed

[The Presiding Officer, Bloc, Louis Plamondon]

Pursuant to the Standing Orders, the House will now proceed to elect a Speaker.

After the Clerk has opened the envelope containing the ballots, I will suggest a method of proceeding that will help accelerate the voting process.

We will now begin to vote pursuant to Standing Order 4.

Please allow me to outline the procedure for all hon. members.

The names of the candidates for the election are listed on the ballot in alphabetical order. To vote, you must rank the candidates in order of preference, placing the number “1” in the space next to your first-choice candidate, the number “2” next to your second-choice candidate, and so on, until you have ranked all candidates for whom you wish to vote. Please note that it is not necessary to rank all candidates.

Members can vote for a single candidate, if they so desire. In order to vote, I will ask that members leave their desks, exit through the curtains and come to the table using the doors behind me on the left and right sides of the chair on their respective sides of the House. The clerk will issue a ballot paper to each member. After casting their ballots, members are asked to leave the voting area.

The polling booths on both sides are now open for voting.

(Members were issued ballots and marked their ballots in secret at voting stations)

[The Presiding Officer, Louis Plamondon]

All members having voted, I do now instruct the Clerk to proceed with the counting of the ballots after I have cast my ballot.

Sitting Suspended

[The Presiding Officer, Louis Plamondon]

I want to remind my colleagues of something I forgot to mention, especially for the benefit of new members. When people are elected, they expect a lot of recognition. Politics is not the place to look for recognition. As a former Quebec premier once told a reporter, people who get into politics looking for recognition would be better off going and buying themselves a nice dog.

Before I suspend the sitting, I wish to inform hon. members that when the counting of the ballots has been completed, the bells to call the members back to the House will be sounded.

The sitting is suspended to the call of the Chair.

(The sitting of the House was suspended at 10:41 a.m.)

(The House resumed at 11:53 a.m.)

(The Clerk of the House having provided the Presiding Officer with the name of the member having received a majority of the votes cast:)