Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to participate on behalf of the official opposition in this tribute to the Hon. Lucien Lamoureux, the esteemed gentleman who occupied your chair from 1966 to 1974.
The word distinguished does not seem adequate in describing Mr. Lamoureux. Perhaps there is not a word in our lexicon that truly captures the nature and the capacity of this man.
From the time of his formative years Mr. Lamoureux was destined for greatness. He would stand out amongst his peers.
Born in Ottawa in 1920, Mr. Lamoureux attended the University of Ottawa where he earned a Master's degree in philosophy before studying law at Osgoode Hall. After graduating in 1945 he went to work for Lionel Chevrier, a cabinet minister in the governments of Mackenzie King and Louis St. Laurent.
In 1954 he took a break from politics and opened a law practice in Cornwall. His roots ran deep in the Liberal Party. His work in Cornwall on behalf of the separate school board, the Children's Aid Society and the Community Chest were without equal.
The urge to serve at the federal level was compelling for Mr. Lamoureux. He sought federal office and was elected as MP for Stormont in 1962. He immediately exhibited an interest and an ability in the rules and procedures of the House. Always a measured and reflective man, his interest seemed a natural fit.
When the Liberal Party came to power in 1963 he was appointed the Deputy Speaker. He attended only two meetings of the Liberal caucus before deciding to withdraw in order to emphasize the impartial nature of his position. Integrity, balance and fairness were hallmarks that would define this gentleman's nature in the time that followed.
Following the 1965 general election, Prime Minister Lester Pearson nominated Mr. Lamoureux for the role of Speaker. Mr. Lamoureux took the chair in 1966 and served as Speaker for eight years until 1974.
The real statement of this gentleman's ability was the fact that he presided over two minority parliaments during his eight years as Speaker. As Mr. Speaker can appreciate, this would be an onerous time for even the most serene individual. Mr. Lamoureux carried it off with the usual aplomb, balance and calm. It could have been an explosive time, particularly in February 1968 when the Pearson government lost a vote at third reading on a financial bill. After much representation from all sides, Speaker Lamoureux was able to avoid disorder until adjournment hour at 10.00 p.m., a statement to his ability, rationale and his great knowledge of the rules.
By April 1968 Mr. Lamoureux had decided he would not fight another election as a member of a political party. He asked for an all-party agreement to support his candidacy as an independent. Prime Minister Trudeau and opposition leader Robert Stanfield, in order to keep Mr. Lamoureux as Speaker, did not nominate candidates against him. Mr. Lamoureux won a landslide victory over his NDP opponent.
Before the 1972 general election Mr. Lamoureux announced that he would again run as an independent and won again in his riding of Stormont. Once again he was Speaker. By April 1974 he had been the Speaker in the chair for 3,010 days, surpassing the record held by Rudolphe Lemieux who was Speaker from 1922 to 1930.
In September 1974 he retired from politics and was shortly afterward appointed as ambassador to Belgium from 1974 to 1980. After that he was appointed as ambassador to Portugal from 1980 to 1985. Mr. Lamoureux said at the time of his retirement from politics “I believe I have done my share in serving my country and I will now leave it up to other men”.
I would like to add a more personal observation on this excellent individual for Canada.
I was elected to this House in 1972 and had the honour of being recognized for the first time by Speaker Lamoureux on January 9, 1973 in question period. His reputation of impartiality was renowned and he was revered for fairness and objectivity by every single parliamentarian of the day. I will never forget coming to this House and watching him in operation.
Columnists during Mr. Lamoureux's days as Speaker and columnists of today recognize him as the most adroit and neutral arbiter of competing politicians. Some have called him the best speaker in modern times. While his style, wit and nature have been emulated, they have seldom been duplicated.
I had the honour of serving as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1987 to 1989. I can admit that I drew upon examples of the rulings and temperament of Speaker Lamoureux more than once during my Speaker's role.
Mr. Speaker, you know in your capacity and in the manner you too strive for impartiality that some days your very sinew is tested in the job of Speaker. It is an onerous job, but a richly rewarding one.
It is fitting that Mr. Lamoureux received the Order of Canada before his passing. It was another distinction bestowed on this most deserving of gentlemen.
Mr. Lamoureux is the benchmark from which all others in the Speaker's chair will be judged.
To his wife, Elizabeth, daughter Isabelle and stepchildren Emmanuel and Karen, I extend on behalf of Her Majesty's loyal official opposition our sincerest condolences. Lucien Lamoureux is one of those parliamentarians and Speakers that comes but once in a lifetime.
