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should have received by email last night the list of candidates for the speakership, the list of members who have withdrawn and the list of members who are ineligible as candidates.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.

Transcript

First Session—45th Parliament

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