Robert Oliphant
Don Valley West, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, June is ALS Awareness Month. As a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease, ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, gradually reduces a person's ability to move, speak, eat and, eventually, breathe. Daily life changes within months of diagnosis, and life expectancy is dramatically reduced. However, there is hope.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me acknowledge in this House that war is always a tragic experience. We are obviously encouraged by the peace deal that has been negotiated by regional partners, including Pakistan, Qatar and others. We have been following this process closely. There will be more work that needs to be done.”
“Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the following reports: the report of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, respecting its participation at the Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations: Parliaments and the United Nations: Better T…”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada has some of the most vigorous and rigorous forced labour laws in the world, and it has been clear that we condemn forced labour everywhere and anywhere it exists. Every good that comes into this country is subject to rigorous import controls and screening.”
“Madam Speaker, June has arrived, and in a few weeks' time, it will bring the cheers of proud parents and the tossing of graduation caps as high school students across Don Valley West accept their diplomas and start the next chapter of their lives.”
“Finally, to the graduates of Don Mills Collegiate Institute, Leaside High School, Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute and Northern Secondary School, as well as the many middle school students about to enter high school, I offer my best wishes and congratulations as they start their next adventure.”
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“I will summarize some of the key elements of the bill and identify areas where consideration in committee could add some important and significant value. While the government plays a central role in the protection of human rights, as governments around the world do, we are not alone in these efforts. Day after day, human rights defenders, activists, journalists, lawyers, community leaders and everyday citizens are the backbone of accountability and progress. Their insights, their lived experiences and their grassroots connections strengthen policy and democratic institutions around the world. Supporting them is not optional. It is an imperative. We need to especially stand by them when they are in peril.”
“[ English ] Bill C-219 , at its core, seeks to amend four laws, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act; the Special Economic Measures Act, known as SEMA; the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, or the Magnitsky law; and the Broadcasting Act. Bill C-219 is very well intentioned and includes important measures to modernize our approach. However, some provisions, as currently drafted, could inadvertently undermine individual or public safety and hinder the effectiveness of sanctions. We believe that the foreign affairs committee is absolutely necessary and is the right place to delve into this piece of legislation to make sure that it mirrors Canadian values and the objectives that we all share in the House regarding human rights and the protection of individuals and society.”
“I want to begin by thanking the member for Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman for presenting this private member's bill, Bill C-219 . The bill underscores a common objective that we share in the House, which is to work together to promote and protect human rights internationally and to modernize how Canada enacts sanctions. [ Translation ] I also want to acknowledge the work of the member for Northumberland—Clarke , who introduced a similar bill in the previous Parliament. Like its predecessor, Bill C‑219 highlights the important ways in which Canada protects international human rights.”
“Madam Speaker, I am honoured today to speak to Canada's active efforts to advance human rights; combat corruption, including through the use of sanctions; and continue to explore the possibilities of the bill. Canada is committed to upholding the legacy left by Sergei Magnitsky in establishing a global framework to combat corruption and human rights violations. Whether by holding states accountable for violations, championing the rights of women and girls, indigenous peoples and vulnerable groups or by countering the threat of transnational repression, human rights remain at the core of our Canadian identity. These are values that are central to our foreign policy, as articulated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs . They are foundational and necessary for a secure society and to make a society prosperous.”
“Mr. Speaker, this is where I get dangerous and ignore the remarks that have been given to me, and I simply thank the member. It is well noted that many of our allies and friends are observers. It is well noted that the conversation must continue. Canada will continue to be a leader. We put our hopes and our aspirations and our work in the NPT, but conversations with everyone engaged is absolutely critical. I am very glad that parliamentarians have been part of those conversations. I will take back the suggestion coming from the member. It is earnest. It is heartfelt. It is a smart idea that needs good consideration from our government.”
“However, Canada's view, as shared by our NATO allies, is that progress on nuclear disarmament must involve those who actually possess nuclear weapons; otherwise, it is talk. As long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance. Our alliance is equally clear that the circumstances in which such weapons might ever be used are extremely remote. We will continue to stand with our partners around the world to reduce risk—”
“Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, Iran's nuclear non-compliance and the looming expiration, in February 2026, of the new START arms control treaty between the U.S. and Russia underscore the fragility of global norms, including the taboo against nuclear weapons use. Canada's response is twofold: We will increase defence spending to protect Canadians and our sovereignty, and we will double down on diplomacy to advance nuclear disarmament. For the last 30 years, we have been a leader at the UN on the fissile material cut-off treaty, which is a treaty that would ban the production of materials that are needed for nuclear weapons. These are foundational steps we will continue to take. We recognize the sincere intentions behind the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.”
“We are fully committed to the universal adoption and full implementation of the NPT. We continue to advocate for halting the spread of nuclear weapons, reducing existing stockpiles and ultimately eliminating them altogether. This work is not theoretical. It is practical. It is sustained. It is results-driven. Under Canada's G7 presidency this year, we convened the G7 Non-Proliferation Directors Group, driving forward nuclear transparency and risk reduction. At the recently concluded UN General Assembly First Committee, Canada urged member states to reject the notion that the geopolitical situation can ever justify slowing progress on nuclear disarmament. Canada has called for, instead, renewed urgency and tangible actions by all parties. As the Prime Minister has said, we are living in an increasingly dangerous world.”
“Our approach is anchored in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the NPT, which is the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation and disarmament architecture. The NPT remains the most effective pathway towards verifiable and irreversible nuclear disarmament. It is based on three pillars or assumptions. First, non-nuclear weapon states commit not to acquire these weapons, so no new nuclear states. Second, nuclear weapon states commit to pursue good-faith negotiations on disarmament; they never stop talking. The third is that all parties commit to supporting peaceful uses of nuclear technology. We are a nuclear country. We have nuclear energy. We will continue to look at the importance of non-arm uses of nuclear power. Canada takes each of these pillars incredibly seriously.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to take the opportunity to both address the important question raised by the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands about Canada's long-standing commitment and leadership on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and also to thank her for continually raising what I believe personally, and I believe our government believes, to be a critically important issue for humanity. Canada's reputation as a champion for peacekeeping and human rights has already been well noted. It did not emerge by accident or nostalgia. It was built because Canada chose to lead, and we continue to choose to lead through diplomacy, through multilateral engagement in institutions and through the difficult technical and often incremental work that actually reduces nuclear risks. That work continues today.”
“The bill's stringent permitting requirements would not only strain our relations with the United States and our co-operation, but also disrupt relationships around the world. Mandatory delays in approvals would place Canadian suppliers at competitive disadvantages in Europe and Oceania, while restrictive end-user requirements could hinder Canada's ability to support partners like Ukraine in a critical time. Let me get to the heart of this. We are in a consequential moment for global security. We have had an election. Canadians have declared that our sovereignty and our security are paramount. We are serious. We call upon all parties in the House to take that consideration seriously to ensure that Canada can defend itself and can work with our NATO allies to defend ourselves in the world.”
“We also have deep and symbolic relationships with other partners, such as the United States, and it is a party for which the ATT also provides certain exemptions. Canada already applies this discretion more narrowly than any of the other nations granting permit-free access to only one country. (1800) Let me be perfectly clear. Any exemption that we provide the U.S. is not a loophole. It reflects a unique geopolitical relationship rooted in our shared security commitments, continental defence and decades of military integration. This legislation would undermine these efforts and make both of our countries less secure with greater threats to our sovereignty and our stability.”
“The changes proposed in the bill would severely hinder our defence industry by creating further instability. It would weaken Canada's role in NATO by creating unnecessary delays and potentially blocking Canadian-made materials and equipment from getting to our allies to keep our world safe, allies like Ukraine, and it would jeopardize the capabilities of our Canadian Armed Forces by constraining the way they get the supply of critical equipment and impeding their operations in vital regions like the Arctic. Under Canada's existing export control framework, Canada allows certain military items to be exported without permits, provided they are destined for specific countries. This flexibility is embedded in the systems of our closest allies, such as the U.K., the EU and Australia.”
“Instead of strengthening Canada's ability to promote responsible use and sale of military goods, this well-intentioned but misguided piece of legislation has wide-reaching implications, and it would have unintended consequences. We are working to fulfill our NATO commitments. We want to bolster security and defence industries. We want to diversify trading partners, and this bill would put us out of step with our allies in licensing efficiency, transparency and the use of appropriate discretion. We are a NATO country. We need to be part of NATO, and the security of NATO is something that Canadians depend on. That does mean, for us in the House today, that we need to keep our NATO obligations and build upon them. This legislation would undermine that.”
“We are very serious when we take these matters into consideration, and we are vigilant on the enforcement of the law; those who breach it are held accountable. Suggesting that Canada is not compliant with the ATT is not only misleading; Canadians also both need and deserve to hear the truth about it. We have a comprehensive legal framework, a legislative framework, that we in Parliament have contributed to and that now the Government of Canada enforces. (1755) Thus, we can see that Bill C-233 , while based on good intentions about keeping people safe, is actually based on false premises. Canada has one of the strongest military export control systems in the world, and considerations for human rights are at its very core.”
“We impose a stricter criterion for denials than those specified under the ATT, such as where there is a risk of contributing to gender-based violence, terrorism or organized crime, and we enforce those rules. We enforce controls on Canadians involved in the transfers of military goods, even if the goods never enter Canada. We have tabled annual reports to Parliament on the export of ATT items ever since the 1990s, long before the ATT's ratification. In deciding whether to issue or not issue an export permit, the current law dictates that it be taken into consideration whether the proposed export would contribute to peace and security, or undermine it, and whether it could be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
“When looking to refine their export control systems, other countries have looked to our own as one of the strongest and most effective examples. I know it has been many years, but I would remind the member for Vancouver East of the debate while she was an MP in 2018, respecting Bill C-47 during the 42nd Parliament. Canada had a strong debate about that and put in standards that not only meet the Arms Trade Treaty requirements but exceed them. We apply exemptions more narrowly than any other ATT signatory does. We control a wider range of items than the ATT requires. Not only do we place controls on conventional arms; we also control dual-use goods and nuclear, chemical, biological and missile technologies.”
“That is why a Liberal government under then foreign minister Lester Pearson ensured that Canada was there to found the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. It was a Liberal government that made sure Canada was a founding member of the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies. [ Translation ] That is why the Liberal government ensured that Canada was one of the founding members of the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies. [ English ] It was a Liberal government under then foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy that shepherded the Ottawa convention to ratification, banning the practice and use of landmines. A Liberal government then ratified the Arms Trade Treaty in 2019. Canada's efforts do not go unnoticed.”
“Accountability does matter, but Bill C-233 as it is drafted, while perhaps well-intentioned, would risk undermining Canada's security, international security, our defence industry and our international partnerships at a critical moment. Indeed, since the Second World War, Canada has strengthened our export controls for arms to the point where we are privileged to have one of the world's strongest, strictest and soundest regimes. For generations, countries have looked to Canada as a leader, as a peacekeeper and as one of the world's most steadfast promoters of the responsible use and sale of military equipment. Canada's voice matters. Canadians are wanted and needed to promote peace, to make peace and to keep peace.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by commending the member for Vancouver East for her ongoing and very steadfast commitment to strengthening oversight and to bringing peace in our world. She has attempted to do that in the bill, and I believe that all members of the House agree that Canada must maintain a strong export control system to prevent the misuse of weapons anywhere and everywhere. Right now, global security matters more than ever, and Canada must act with clarity and resolve. The decisions we make today in the House will shape not only our sovereignty but also the safety of Canadians and of our allies around the world.”
“Madam Speaker, I want to reassure people that Canada is on the diplomatic stage every day, both diversifying trade and defending Canadian interests. We will continue to work every day to ensure that Canadian businesses, Canadian citizens and Canadian residents are well protected in everything we do. We will continue to negotiate every trade deal we can. The United States is our biggest trading partner, and we are ready to be at that table while we continue to diversify our trade around the world.”
“Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the following reports of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union with respect to its participation in the following events: the annual parliamentary hearing at the United Nations, “Putting an end to conflicts: Prescriptions for a peaceful future”, at the United Nations, New York, New York, United States of America, from February 8 to 9, 2024; the 148th IPU assembly and related meetings, Geneva, Switzerland, from March 23 to 27, 2024; the parliamentary forum at the UN high-level political forum on sustainable development, New York, New York, United States of America, on July 16, 2024; the 10th IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians, Yerevan, Armenia, from September 12 to 14, 2024; the 149th IPU assembly and related meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 13 to 17, 2024; the expert consultation on “Parliamentary engagement in digital policy”, Geneva, Switzerland, on October 18, 2024; the second meeting of the preparatory committee of the sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, Geneva, Switzerland, on October 18, 2024; the annual parliamentary hearing at the United Nations on “Scaling up action for the Sustainable Development Goals: Finance, Institutions, and Politics”, New York, New York, United States of America, from February 13 to 14, 2025; the parliamentary meeting on the occasion of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, New York, New York, United States of America, on March 11, 2025; the first Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians, Mexico City, Mexico, from March 14 to 16, 2025; and finally, the 150th IPU assembly and related meetings, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from April 5 to 9, 2025.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me also state that Canada supports Israel and its right to defend its people every day. Let me also be clear that Hamas is a terrorist group. It must release hostages immediately who have been held cruelly for two years. It must disarm, and it will play no role in the future governance of a Palestinian state. We will continue to defend the state of Israel and we will continue to defend the people of Palestine to ensure we have two states with equal justice and equal rights to prosperity.”
“Mr. Speaker, I respect the question. However, at this point, I will simply say that there is no military solution to the conflict at hand. There is only a political solution, and in the vein of Lester Pearson, this side of the House will continue to work for peaceful solutions to ensure that Israel and Palestinians have safe and secure borders for each of them so they will live in peace together. That is what this side of the House will work on.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will begin by saying Israel has the right, absolutely, to defend itself within the bounds of international law. At the very same time, we have a responsibility to de-escalate this situation. Our minister has been very clear that this escalation will not help. We have several priorities. We want to ensure hostages are released. We want to ensure humanitarian aid is delivered. We want an immediate ceasefire. Canada will exercise every diplomatic tool we have to ensure that peace, in our ability, is brought to the fore.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member has raised several issues at the same time. Let me just say the G7 is a huge opportunity for Canada to exercise leadership on the world stage. Our sovereignty, our security and prosperity are tied to global security. At the same time, Canada is a country of the rule of law. We have cases before the RCMP. We will continue to have those investigations. We will continue to ensure that Canadians are safe at home and abroad.”
“Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's question is important on two fronts. It is important to remember, always, that Israel has the right to defend itself. Israel has the right to continue to make sure that it is safe and secure. At the same time, the government is committed to taking action against the scourge that is anti-Semitism every day in our world. We will continue to stand up and defend Jews in this community to make sure they are safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the member on her recent election. I know that she brings an engineering background to the position. She brings an expertise in robotics and artificial intelligence that I think we desperately need in the House of Commons. It is the kind of capacity, the kind of intelligence and the kind of creativity that we will need. Canada's economy is changing. Not only are we under siege from a threat from the Americans, the American government, at this particular time, but we also need to retool to address the issues of the 21st century. Those sorts of programs about innovation, creativity, increasing productivity, and using and capturing artificial intelligence are critically important for the success of every Canadian. I wish the member very well in the coming Parliament.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think we need to look at all of Canada's realities. We need to learn from Quebec when it comes to things like that. [ English ] I hope my words about Africa are not lost. Once again, people of the House will dismiss our need to recognize Africa. Half my speech was spent talking about Africa, yet neither of the opposition parties actually wants to engage in this discussion. It is to our benefit that we all engage on it, quit the petty politics of the place and actually talk about some real topics, such as engaging with African countries and with the African diaspora in this country for the betterment of Canadians, so we can pay for the social programs that Quebeckers want us to engage with.”
“Mr. Speaker, what I heard overwhelmingly at the door was that the taxpayer needs to know that his or her money is being well used. Taxpayers do not want more spending; they want more investing. They want to invest in projects that are of a national character, that will build the identity and character of this country. They want us to continue the social safety net to make sure all of these programs continue, like the Canada child benefit and the dental benefit. To do that, we need a strong economy. We need to invest in the energy sector. We need to continue to invest in artificial intelligence. We need to invest in small manufacturing in Ontario. We need to continue to invest in all these ways, in infrastructure and housing, to make sure that we build our country.”
“These are groups of countries that Canada needs to help welcome the African Union and African countries into so that they become our strategic partners, our key allies and those with whom Canada can engage with every day, always faithfully, to ensure that our future and their future are tied together.”
“That way, we can help build the African economy, not as a charitable exercise, but as an exercise that will benefit Canadians. Young Canadians are looking for opportunities. Those opportunities may be found in engaging in business with African countries. We will continue to work with them to ensure that their voices are heard on the international stage. African voices should never be silenced. They should be encouraged. Canada is in every club that is important: the G7, which is meeting very shortly; the G20; the United Nations; the Organization of American States; La Francophonie; and the Commonwealth.”
“Those people-to-people ties will continue to be important as we expand our diplomatic footprint in Africa to ensure that Canadian businesses have vehicles and mechanisms to get into and understand African markets, which are there for them to engage with. We will continue to work with academics, trading groups, unions, schools and universities to ensure that we have partnerships that will continue to not only benefit Africa, but benefit Canada. Canada's future is tied to a successful Africa, so we will be involved in peacekeeping and reconciliation of past difficulties. We are going to engage with Africa in such a way that it will say Canada is its preferred economic partner, its preferred trading partner and its preferred partner in agri-food businesses, energy, transportation and small manufacturing.”
“We need to find a way to continue to invest in Africa to develop the middle class, to take the burden of having one principal trading partner, which may not be reliable for us, away and to allow ourselves to have trading relationships around the world. We can easily go to Europe. We can easily go to the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions. We can go to Latin America and the American states. We also need to go to Africa. We need to listen, and this strategy has five principal points. It is about people-to-people ties. It will absolutely engage with the African diaspora in Canada as our cultural, linguistic, trade and economic partners to help us interpret Africa and understand it better. We will begin with a formalized mechanism to do that in our government to ensure that African Canadian voices are heard in every decision we make.”
“The strategy itself is based on “The Africa We Want”, which is Agenda 2063, the strategy of the African Union. It took years to develop Africa's strategy, and Canada has listened to it and taken it to heart to say that the primary concern we need to have in our relationship with Africa is a mutually beneficial partnership. We need to absolutely have a way to look eye to eye with African partners to recognize that the future of Canada rests in a strong social, economic, cultural, trade relationship with the African continent. Canada has an aging population. Africa has the youngest population in the world. Africa has tremendous opportunities for Canadian markets.”
“(1255) The reason I want to focus on that part of the Speech from the Throne, which the King so eloquently delivered in the Senate earlier this week, is that just before the election, in the early part of March, I was able to launch, on behalf of the government, Canada's new strategy related to Africa. It is called “Canada's Africa Strategy: A Partnership for Shared Prosperity and Security”. It was two years in the making, with over 160 consultations with groups, individuals, academics, business groups, Africans in their own continent and African Canadians here. Extensive conversation and extensive consultation have led to what I believe is a new approach to Canada's working for and working together with Africans: the whole continent, regional economic communities and individual governments.”
“One part of the throne speech I want to draw attention to today in the House is on page 8, which says: ...the Government is working to strengthen its relationships with reliable trading partners and allies around the world, recognizing that Canada has what the world needs and...the world respects. Canada is ready to build a coalition of like-minded countries that share its values, that believe in international co-operation and the free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas. In this new, fast-evolving world, Canada is ready to lead.”
“All of these concerns were echoed by fiscal Conservatives in my riding. They are worried about our overspending. They are worried about not investing enough. I believe that our new Prime Minister and this new government will be the biggest problem the Conservative Party has. We have listened to those words and have heard them. Our Prime Minister, through the Speech from the Throne, talked about spending less and investing more, and we will continue to do that so Canadians can regain confidence in our ability to manage their money, because it is not our money. Going to those doors has been extremely important to me. The people have given me a strong mandate, the largest mandate I have had in five elections, and I hope I will continue to earn the trust of those who did not vote for me.”
“I also want to speak very specifically to the Jewish community and to Jews in my riding who have great concerns about the rise of anti-Semitism and about their personal safety as they gather or even as they walk down the street. I will continue to support zero tolerance for any anti-Semitic comments and slurs or any attacks on either the Jewish community or Jews themselves in my riding, across this country and around the world. I also want to talk about those who raised the issue of Gaza and Canada's support for the Palestinian people. I will continue to be a strong advocate for peace in the region and for the aspirations of the Palestinian people to eventually have their own state and to find a way to express their statehood in the world. Canada needs to help rebuild Gaza as we bring back a peaceful solution to an ongoing conflict.”
“I also want to talk about people who have been worried about crime. Particularly in the Don Mills area, I heard regularly that people are worried and that our government needs to take stronger steps to ensure their streets and homes are safe and that they are personally safe as well. Again, we have listened, and our government will continue to take strong steps against crime to make sure appropriate punishments happen while we continue to build a safer society all around us. I also want to talk to newcomers. Some newcomers in my riding are very concerned about the ongoing issue of professional accreditation, getting ahead without Canadian experience and making a living in their own communities. I have listened to this as well and will continue to work on that project.”
“I want to thank the people I met at many doors who have concerns about this country and who expressed those concerns. When we knock on thousands of doors, it is as important to listen to those who may challenge us as it is to listen to our supporters. I want to talk particularly about some young people who talked to me about affordability and housing costs and about how their lower incomes were not meeting the challenges they faced every day to pay their rent or get a mortgage. I listened particularly to young people in the Yonge and Eglinton area who are paying other people's mortgages and want a chance to own a home themselves. I have listened and our government has heard them, and I believe in the Speech from the Throne we heard Canada's most ambitious housing project ever. I will continue to work on that.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate you on your appointment as Deputy Speaker. I have great confidence in you in the chair; the chair becomes you. I am really looking forward to it. The support will not be unconditional, but I offer my sincere best wishes. I also want to begin by thanking the electors of Don Valley West for their support in sending me back for the fifth time to this place. They sent me back with a really good mandate, and it is one that I take on not only with humility but also with empowerment. With the platform our party presented, confidence was expressed in our new Prime Minister , and the thought that Canada's sovereignty may be threatened, which needs strong leadership, is very real for the people in Don Valley West. I also want to thank the people who did not vote for me.”
“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. [ Translation ] Thank you in advance for your support.”
“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. (0915) [ English ] 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.”
“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. [ English ] 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. [ Translation ] A Speaker should not be elected just because they respect both official languages but because they live in both of those languages every day.”
“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. [ Translation ] It takes more than just the appearance of impartiality. The Speaker must be truly impartial.”
“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. [ Translation ] 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. [ English ] 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.”
“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. [ English ] 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.”