John Nater

[Kerry McManus, April 22nd, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Kerry McManus, a caring teacher, courageous community builder and tremendous public servant to the people of Stratford.

Last week, Kerry was taken from us far too soon by cancer. An educator by profession, but a lifelong learner by vocation, Kerry went above and beyond to support her students and everyone she met to reach their full potential. A passionate champion for the environment, the vulnerable and mental health, Kerry was elected to two terms on Stratford City Council, where she showed unwavering integrity and passionately stood by her convictions. She was never afraid to be the lone voice in a one-to-10 vote. I will miss her warm smile, her compassionate outlook and her collaborative approach to problem-solving.

My heart goes out to her husband John, her father Barry and her entire family. We are diminished by her death, but strengthened by her countless contributions.

[Petitions, April 21st, 2026]

Third and finally, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition over the concern about the thousands of acres of prime farmland that could be taken out of production in Clearview Township due to the Arctic over-the-horizon radar.

[Petitions, April 21st, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is on amendments to Bill C-9, which constituents are concerned will impact the freedom of religion in Canada.

[Petitions, April 21st, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present three petitions on behalf of my constituents in Perth—Wellington.

The first petition is from constituents who are concerned about the export of live horses and are calling on the government to take action on the matter.

[Rick Sinnamon, March 9th, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, the motto of the Lions Club is “We Serve”. Rick Sinnamon truly lived that motto. He served for 33 years with the Ontario Provincial Police. He was involved with countless service clubs and community organizations, including the Mount Forest Lions Club, the Mount Forest Legion, the Mount Forest Minor Hockey Association, the Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation, the Mount Forest Patriots, the England Funeral Home, and the Mount Forest United Church and choir.

Rick was a community builder in both the literal and figurative sense of the word. He not only worked to ensure that the high school stayed in Mount Forest, but also saw the construction of the new Wellington Heights Secondary School. He played a key role in building the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex.

We lost Rick far too soon. Our hearts go out to his family: his wife Patty, their three children and their seven grandchildren. We can be thankful for Rick's life of service because where there was a need in the community, there was Rick.

[Coldest Night of the Year Walk, February 23rd, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, this Saturday is the annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk. In communities across Canada, participants will be walking in the cold and the snow to support those experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness.

This year, I look forward to walking in St. Marys in support of the St. Marys Nourish Market and community outreach worker. In Stratford, funds will be raised to support Shelterlink Youth Services and the Stratford Connection Centre. In North Perth, they are supporting North Perth Housing/Homelessness Action through the United Way. Finally, in Minto-Mapleton, they will be supporting the work of the Community Resource Centre of North Wellington and Centre Wellington. Across these four events, over 850 participants have already raised over $250,000.

With the national housing crisis preventing so many Canadians from finding a safe, affordable place to live, the need is greater than ever. We thank all who have signed up and donated. I look forward to seeing everyone this Saturday, wearing their warm toques.

[Petitions, October 29th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to present a petition organized by Shelterlink Youth Services in Stratford and signed by constituents of Perth—Wellington.

The petitioners would like to draw attention to youth homelessness. They are requesting that the government declare November 17 of each year to be national youth homelessness awareness day.

[Martin Brodhagen, October 21st, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Martin Brodhagen, who died as a result of a tragic farm accident on the same land he tended for his entire life. He was a man of tremendous work ethic and immense resilience and had a good heart. Martin was devoted to his faith, his farm and his family.

He contributed to the community through Junior Farmers and 4-H, and he was the kind of person who would go out of his way to help his neighbours in their time of need. He enjoyed a good auction sale and a good joke.

He was a loving husband to Brenda and a caring father to his children, Amanda and Bryan, who were truly his pride and joy. Though Martin is gone, his legacy lives on through them, as they farm the land that meant so much to him.

[John Holtby, June 16th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, for half a century, John Holtby lived and breathed parliamentary democracy. He began as first clerk assistant at Queen's Park and served at the table in the B.C. Legislature. Here on Parliament Hill, he was chief of staff to the McGrath committee and served as an adviser to prime ministers, House leaders, senators and whips. To new MPs, he was always there with a kind word of advice, a mischievous idea and, when needed, a gentle word of caution. In the House, he is recognized as an authority, as the editor of Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules and Forms, sixth edition.

John was fond of the classic words of The Pilgrim's Progress. If I could be so bold as to turn around those words, I will say, “So he passed over, and all the division bells rang to greet him on the other side.”

May my dear friend rest well.

[Election of Speaker, May 26th, 2025]

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.