I Will Not Compromise | Faith, Family, and Freedom: MP Cathay Wagantall's Final Speech in Parliament
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa3Kuzcacag
I Will Not Compromise | Faith, Family, and Freedom
I Will Not Compromise | Faith, Family, and Freedom
TRANSCRIPT
debate. The honorable member for Yorkton Melville.
4 seconds
[applause]10 seconds
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.12 seconds
I rise today to give my last speech in this place, having been here since 2015.18 seconds
Uh I am retiring as of the end of the summer, and appreciate this opportunity.24 seconds
I'm going to begin with some comments about my husband very briefly though because um he's my uh rock and at the33 seconds
age of 14 I wrote something in the front of my Bible that said I want to marry someone who puts God first, me second,42 seconds
and our children third. Well, God outdid himself.49 seconds
and I had the opportunity to marry uh a man who in my card I said you are everything I ever dreamed of. I said for56 seconds
Father's Day and then you opened it and it said plus a whole lot of things that never even crossed my mind.1 minute, 3 seconds
So um we were married uh had quite an amazing life thus far and expect to continue. But Marty has a heart for1 minute, 10 seconds
ministry. So we went into ministry um at at a point later in our lives and uh he1 minute, 18 seconds
was
church planting very entrepreneurial and we had this wonderful family
that we decided to take out for pizza one day from church and they have
this little1 minute, 25 seconds
girl named Katie and she jumped out of her car when we got to the restaurant and ran up to Martians jumped and said1 minute, 33 seconds
look God I got new shoes. I had to explain to Katie that he was not God.1 minute, 41 seconds
I say that because I want to extend that over now into my appreciation for the1 minute, 48 seconds
leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the current um leader of his majesty's official opposition.1 minute, 57 seconds
He's not God, but he's amazing.2 minutes, 2 seconds
He has gifts that this country needs. He has the ability to process like no one I2 minutes, 11 seconds
I know we experience this in our caucus meetings all the time. We'll stop there.2 minutes, 16 seconds
Um but his heart is what drives him and his love for being a servant leader and2 minutes, 23 seconds
caring about people. When my mom passed away, he phoned me.2 minutes, 29 seconds
when um this happens to anyone in our caucus, he makes that call and it you never feel rushed when he's talking with2 minutes, 36 seconds
you with what happened out at Tumblr Ridge.2 minutes, 40 seconds
He wasn't just there for the service. He stayed and he I don't know if he'd be appreciative that I'm sharing this, but2 minutes, 47 seconds
it's just who he is. He stayed until every one of those people had an opportunity to meet him and talk with him. and he is2 minutes, 57 seconds
gifted
at understanding what needs to happen in this nation to give people
their country back. So, I have been so honored to be part of this caucus
and3 minutes, 5 seconds
wish
nothing but the best for him as he moves forward with the most amazing
group of people. They all want to be named, but I'm not going to go
there.3 minutes, 13 seconds
Um, who serve in this caucus together.3 minutes, 17 seconds
We are a team. What I love is something I learned when I was the only female on a board at a college. Um, and I was3 minutes, 25 seconds
athletic director and I learned that I go to those meetings and I do my thing, make sure I'm heard, argue as much as3 minutes, 35 seconds
necessary and then go we go for coffee and that's what this team does and they will be the best thing to ever happen to3 minutes, 42 seconds
Canada in well over a decade if not longer. Sorry, Mr. Harper, but I think it's even going to be better. So, I'm so3 minutes, 49 seconds
appreciative of my leader and my colleagues. And then there's my staff.3 minutes, 54 seconds
Um, I'd love to name them all. I have been so blessed to have people in my4 minutes, 1 second
office who love the things that I love and support the things that I support and go the extra mile over and over4 minutes, 9 seconds
again
to make sure that I'm prepared. I could not do my job without those
that are in my writing and certainly here on the hill as well. And I am
so grateful4 minutes, 18 seconds
for every one of them that have been part of my team.4 minutes, 22 seconds
I want to thank the pages and all the folks that help us out in the lobby, put up with us uh on a daily basis. You're4 minutes, 29 seconds
remarkable. I have a special place in my heart for our PPS, our protective services. When I wasn't4 minutes, 37 seconds
allowed
to do my job on this hill because I wouldn't share my status in regard
to the COVID vaccine, I was not allowed to be in this place. And I4 minutes, 45 seconds
decided
to come in finally, and the sergeant-at-arms finally figured that out
and escorted me. I was going to be apprehended, I believe, my my whip
said.4 minutes, 54 seconds
I
didn't know what that meant, but he just escorted me down the hill. And
I said, "I don't hold you responsible, sir, for what you have to do."
But5 minutes, 2 seconds
nobody recognized me. They had phones all outside the door here, down there, over there, downstairs, trying to find5 minutes, 9 seconds
me. And they couldn't find me because I my I don't know, every every campaign I look a little different.5 minutes, 17 seconds
So
I said, "You got to do a better job of this. you got to protect us. So
the next day when I came to work, somebody shared there was an 8 and 1/2
by 115 minutes, 26 seconds
laminated picture of me from Facebook book on every desk in the precinct. And to this day, they know who I am.5 minutes, 35 seconds
[laughter]5 minutes, 36 seconds
So that's all great. But uh the things I want to share as well are the things that I loved having the responsibility for here.5 minutes, 46 seconds
Um, no. I'm not going to split my time. Speaker, by the way, just so you know. Can I tell him? Do it your way.5 minutes, 54 seconds
Okay. Good. I love you, Kathy.5 minutes, 56 seconds
I've I've been on Veterans Affairs uh standing committee on Veterans Affairs since um I came to this role6 minutes, 5 seconds
and I have such a deep appreciation for our veterans.6 minutes, 10 seconds
Uh, first of all, I'm just a civilian and what I've had to learn. I still6 minutes, 18 seconds
don't
know everything I need to know, but they are so gracious to me. And it
means the world that I've had this opportunity to be part of the study
on6 minutes, 26 seconds
Silent No More, where our women who joined the armed forces faced great duress because they weren't really6 minutes, 33 seconds
welcome there. And now C11 of course means that they don't get to make the choice of where they're going to uh take6 minutes, 40 seconds
their
cases whether to the civilian or to the uh Indian forces courts. But I
love them and I appreciate the opportunity I had to be part of that.6 minutes, 50 seconds
There's a group called the Mephloquin Rally Warriors who uh have been injured by that drug when it was taken for6 minutes, 56 seconds
malaria uh back in the days of Somalia when something terrible happened on that on that uh7 minutes, 6 seconds
deployment. Thank you guys. See, they're very gracious to me, even the ones that aren't veterans.7 minutes, 12 seconds
And
uh they've suffered and suffered and the government has not recognized
that and they will continue to fight until that recognition is given
because it was7 minutes, 21 seconds
done
improperly. There was no study of this unlicensed drug. It's a huge
issue and I want them to know that I am with them and will continue to
be with them.7 minutes, 30 seconds
I've
been to every event that they've done over the course of these past 10
years. they will not give up on asking for an apology, a return to
Somalia7 minutes, 38 seconds
inquiry
and to have the care that they should have. And then service dogs are
another area that are very special to me. And I want you to know that
when I7 minutes, 46 seconds
go
home, Saskatchewan is a lovely, lovely province. Shame on you all who
haven't been there yet. [laughter] But I got to tell you, it's
interesting.7 minutes, 56 seconds
In this country, we only have 1,300,000 people in that entire gorgeous province.8 minutes, 2 seconds
And so somehow even CBC forgets that we have weather [laughter] when they're doing the weather report.8 minutes, 11 seconds
But I can tell you we have veterans.8 minutes, 14 seconds
There are over 150 that are couch serving or living on the streets in places like Regina and Saskatoon, but8 minutes, 21 seconds
there's
nothing officially there because we're too small. And we have begun
something called the York Veterans Foundation that is going to change
that.8 minutes, 30 seconds
And so I'm very excited about that in our future. Uh the other thing that I will share with you today is that I've8 minutes, 38 seconds
had the incredible opportunity in this place not to do one, not to do two, but to do three different private members8 minutes, 46 seconds
bills. And uh for those at home, a private members bill is something that an individual member gets to speak on8 minutes, 54 seconds
and bring forward to possibly be passed that may or may not be part of your your party's stance or part of something that9 minutes, 2 seconds
is is needed according to other people, but it's something very important to you, to your writing, uh to the people9 minutes, 9 seconds
that
you serve. And so, um many people get their name pulled out of that
hat, but never get the opportunity because they're too far down the
list. My9 minutes, 17 seconds
predecessor was here for 22 years and I don't believe ever had that opportunity.9 minutes, 22 seconds
So I've had three private members bills and my passion is caring about violence against women. And the first one that I9 minutes, 30 seconds
did
was Cassie and Molly's Law in 2016, protecting pregnant women and their
pre-born children. But we called it Cassie and Molly's Law.9 minutes, 41 seconds
I
phoned this young man named Jeff Durm from Windsor and asked if I could
be helpful to him because he he didn't understand how what9 minutes, 50 seconds
happened to his wife who was seven months pregnant didn't recognize her baby. Now, we know there's issues around9 minutes, 58 seconds
this topic in other ways, but this was a situation where she was confronted in her home by an intruder that both she10 minutes, 6 seconds
and her husband knew. and he saw her. He knew her. He worked alongside them.10 minutes, 12 seconds
And he panicked. He didn't want it to be found out what he was doing. So, he attacked her and killed her at seven10 minutes, 22 seconds
months,
actually more than seven months pregnant. Seven weeks, I think, from
having her baby. And they had already named her Molly.10 minutes, 30 seconds
Now, this individual was was charged, went through the whole system and was facing his his sentence. And Jeff could10 minutes, 41 seconds
not believe that through this whole thing, there was no mention of Molly. It was like she didn't exist, period.10 minutes, 49 seconds
But
this was a mom who was excited about having her baby. And she wasn't
with Jeff anymore. But you know what? They lived in the same block so
that they'd10 minutes, 56 seconds
be
close. And they were setting up their baby rooms. So I did what I could
to bring that forward as casting in Molly's law. And of course in this
house it11 minutes, 5 seconds
didn't pass, but it brought huge attention to the fact that pregnant women are the most11 minutes, 12 seconds
vulnerable when it comes to femicide. And yet in this house, they're never included in that conversation.11 minutes, 22 seconds
And I find that deplorable.11 minutes, 26 seconds
And
then I did one on sex elective abortion. Now you got to ask why in the
world Kathy, right? Morgan Taller's decision was made that it was too
ownorous for women to seek an abortion.11 minutes, 37 seconds
So they struck down what was there. But the Supreme Court said there must be new legislation and they must come with a a11 minutes, 46 seconds
determination of when that fetus is considered viable. None of that has ever happened. But when I brought this11 minutes, 54 seconds
forward, it was because I do a lot of trade shows and whatnot, and I always have uh uh forms for people to sign, one12 minutes, 1 second
on firearms, uh one on pallet of care. We have a member over on that side of the floor now. I wonder if she'll get it done, and12 minutes, 9 seconds
then
one on uh protecting pregnant women. And you know, lots of women came
and talked to me and said, Kathy, like we want access to abortion. I
said,12 minutes, 15 seconds
fine. Truth is, 84% of Canadians want access to abortion. That's the truth.12 minutes, 22 seconds
But I said, you know what? There's a Dart Maru Dart blue maru poll that was done. And the National Post heading said,12 minutes, 31 seconds
Canadians are not as divided on this issue as politicians and media would like you to think. So12 minutes, 39 seconds
what
they did is they went further and they said, do you think um it's okay
to have a sex elective abortion? And the answer was no. There should be a
law12 minutes, 46 seconds
against that. The same 84% of people 16% of people didn't fit into that category and they are in the abortion at12 minutes, 55 seconds
any time for any reason law. Did you know that Canada has nothing? We have no laws. We're the only democratic country13 minutes, 3 seconds
in the world that has nothing and our only friend in that field other than democratic countries is North Korea.13 minutes, 12 seconds
This is appalling. So that decision uh enabled me to bring forward the sex elective abortion act because13 minutes, 20 seconds
women, nurses, pro-choice. The vast majority of these people are pro-choice.13 minutes, 25 seconds
They want choice, but they do not want baby girls to be killed simply because they're girls. I was in a feminist13 minutes, 33 seconds
class. I was going to talk about being a woman in politics, and as we walked in, the the uh teacher said, "Oh, we changed13 minutes, 41 seconds
our
mind. We wanted to talk about that, but we hear you just put forward a
bill on sex elective abortion. We'd like to talk about that." And I
thought, "Oh, I'm in a feminist class. What's that going to feel like?"
They were appalled.13 minutes, 53 seconds
They were absolutely appalled. So, of course, it didn't pass fine. And then I had one more opportunity under this14 minutes, 1 second
leader under our leader and um I brought forward violence against pregnant women14 minutes, 7 seconds
act in again a situation where a third party attacks a woman knowingly14 minutes, 15 seconds
knowing that she is pregnant and causing uh physical or mental harm. that with14 minutes, 24 seconds
this, the only thing it was calling for was that they be considered aggravating factors. And Joyce Arthur, who is the14 minutes, 31 seconds
queen
of uh the proabortion movement, said she could she could vote for it if
it did these things. And it did them two sentences. Two sentences.14 minutes, 42 seconds
And then um as soon as it was tabled the previous prime minister and all the women on the other side of the floor did14 minutes, 50 seconds
a Twitter attack on me and actually when I had presented it in the house in the first minute uh when14 minutes, 57 seconds
you just describe it three colleagues from that side of the floor women clapped for it.15 minutes, 5 seconds
They clapped for it. I don't think that's mine. Oh, I have to split my time apparently.15 minutes, 16 seconds
Leader or sorry, speaker and I'm already at 15 minutes. Don't worry about it.15 minutes, 23 seconds
Don't worry about it.15 minutes, 26 seconds
We have other things we need to do. Keep going. All right. I have to follow what the speaker requires of me. Um, anyways,15 minutes, 34 seconds
this he is he really is. this this particular bill when they clapped for it that tells me that people on that side15 minutes, 42 seconds
of the floor whom I know and have friendships with meet with on a regular basis15 minutes, 49 seconds
value protecting pregnant women and want to see that recognition of when a woman is wanting and carrying a child should15 minutes, 58 seconds
have protection. In this case, Sherry and Shan Governant lost their daughter Ariana. She had a very very um16 minutes, 6 seconds
frightening marriage and he wanted her to come over. She was due and her mom said don't go. She says16 minutes, 12 seconds
it's okay. He just wants to talk. He proceeded with stabbing her in the abdomen 21 times.16 minutes, 21 seconds
And
when he was in prison and wanted to have a relationship with another
woman, he took the picture of their wedding and removed her and put his
picture up.16 minutes, 31 seconds
There
are terrible people in this world that attack women and are in
relationships where they're brutal. And in this case, this had
absolutely16 minutes, 40 seconds
nothing to do with anything that the pro-choice community doesn't want to see is protection of women when they are16 minutes, 48 seconds
having their children. So if we are truly concerned about uh feminism and and16 minutes, 56 seconds
attacking
women on that side of the floor, on this side of the floor, this is
something that we could have all agreed on. But we don't. And so that's17 minutes, 4 seconds
fine. That is the reality of the makeup of this house. But what I can tell you from that study and 84% of Canadians17 minutes, 12 seconds
wanting choice, when they saw that Twitter war, they went berserk online. and you won't find any of the comments anymore.17 minutes, 21 seconds
They've been scrubbed. They're not there. But they said, "What is wrong with you?" That you don't understand,17 minutes, 28 seconds
speaker, not you, but them that um this is about women needing protection.17 minutes, 37 seconds
And why do you always bring up abortion?17 minutes, 41 seconds
Well, I can tell you why. Because it has become a tool of that side of the floor.17 minutes, 46 seconds
Actually, the whole house other than our party where we get to vote according to our consciences17 minutes, 53 seconds
that will not allow anyone to be part of their caucus if18 minutes, 1 second
they have the same values here. Although the three that clapped, I thought,18 minutes, 8 seconds
"Okay,
this is good." um they actually ended up being three of the ones that
stood up in the house and tried to accuse me of bringing forward an
anti-abortion law.18 minutes, 19 seconds
So that tells you the kind of stress that women on that side of the floor and people who value family and value women18 minutes, 27 seconds
when
they are being coerced within a relationship that is terrible or are
facing a situation where they are are being abducted or or accused of18 minutes, 36 seconds
anything until um they they um hurt that woman and possibly injure or kill the child as well.18 minutes, 46 seconds
Okay. So it's it's you know it's it's tough to stand here today and say this on the day that I'm leaving and I know18 minutes, 55 seconds
it's divisive in some ways but you know what this place needs to represent19 minutes, 2 seconds
Canadians and Canadians views and never before the honorable opposition house leader is rising on a point of order I believe.19 minutes, 12 seconds
Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I just have a quick point of order. Um, I know that earlier today the speaker gave19 minutes, 19 seconds
a
ruling on the admissibility of uh of this particular bill and I I hate
to interrupt the honorable members uh speech and being a a neighboring
member19 minutes, 28 seconds
of parliament uh our our writings share our border. I go all the way to Melville uh where her writing begins and I can19 minutes, 35 seconds
tell you that I've enjoyed serving with her for for uh for the last decade or so. And uh and this is it pains me19 minutes, 43 seconds
greatly to have to bring up this point of order um during her her farewell speech and I will avail myself of the19 minutes, 50 seconds
opportunity to hopefully make a question or a comment when she's uh finished reading her speech. But I just uh I just19 minutes, 58 seconds
know that after the speaker ruled on the admissibility of this motion that it does have several knock-on effects20 minutes, 5 seconds
including what might happen uh at committee. So, I just wanted to give notice to the chair that uh we may come20 minutes, 13 seconds
back
later on today to make a a submission on some of the dynamics and some
of that those moving pieces. So, I just wanted to advise the chair of
that at this time.20 minutes, 21 seconds
Yeah,
I thank the honorable opposition house leader for that for intervention
and it's noted by the chair. Uh the honorable member for York Milville
can conclude her remarks.20 minutes, 30 seconds
Mr.
Speaker, I'll move on to this. I move second by the member for Medicine
Hat Carson Warner that the motion tended. Pardon me. You have to finish
your speech.20 minutes, 38 seconds
I
I finished my speech by adding after the words be disposed as follow
the following. The bill shall be divided into two bills. Bill C22A an
act20 minutes, 47 seconds
respecting timely access to data and information which shall be composed of clauses 2 to 40 of bill C22. Bill C22B20 minutes, 55 seconds
C22B
sorry an act respecting the obligations of electric service electronic
services providers in relation to authorized access to information which
shall be composed of the remaining provisions of bill C22.21 minutes, 6 seconds
Provided that the bills C22A and bill C22B shall each be reprinted in the law clerk and parliamentary council shall be21 minutes, 13 seconds
authorized
to make any technical changes or corrections as may be necessary to
give effect to this motion. B in paragraph A I replacing I the words the21 minutes, 22 seconds
bill wherever they appear with the words bill C-22A the words 30 minutes in sub paragraph 221 minutes, 29 seconds
or I I with the words three hours I I I the words by 4:30 p.m. on June 15th, 2026 in sub paragraph II I with the21 minutes, 38 seconds
words prior to the adoption of this order. C by deleting paragraphs B to F and substituting the following. C. Bill21 minutes, 45 seconds
C
22A may be taken upon the report stage at the next sitting of the house
following the completion of the provisions of sub paragraph B IV of
this21 minutes, 53 seconds
order.
D. Not more than five hours shall be allotted to consideration of bill
C22A at the report stage. and not more than five hours shall be allotted
to the22 minutes
consideration
of bill C 22A at the third reading stage provided that at the expiry of
the five hours provided for the consideration at the report stage22 minutes, 8 seconds
and at the expiry of the five hours provided for the I'll just interp22 minutes, 16 seconds
apologize to I'm sorry to interrupt but there is no translation uh or interpretation22 minutes, 27 seconds
yeah no I I think the I think the honorable member for York and Melut.22 minutes, 31 seconds
I'd like to thank the honorable member for Sheffford. The translation is working now.22 minutes, 35 seconds
York
and Melver for the interruption. Um I'll ask to continue reading and
perhaps to to to just slow down uh just a little bit and that'll make
sure that22 minutes, 44 seconds
everything functions correctly. So I'll ask the member uh to to wrap up.22 minutes, 48 seconds
Thank
you to the interpreters. D. Not more than 5 hours shall be allotted to
the consideration of bill C22A at the report stage and not more than
five22 minutes, 57 seconds
hours
shall be allotted to the consideration of bill C22A at the third stage
reading provided that at the expiry of the five hours provided for23 minutes, 5 seconds
the consideration at the report stage and at the expiry of the five hours provided for the consideration at the23 minutes, 12 seconds
third
reading stage or when no member wishes to speak whichever is earlier
any proceedings before the house shall be interrupted. if required for
the purpose23 minutes, 21 seconds
of this order and in turn every question necessary for the disposal of the stage of bill C22A then under consideration23 minutes, 28 seconds
shall be put forth with and successfully without further debate or amendment. E.23 minutes, 33 seconds
If bill C22A [clears throat] is taken up at the report stage on Friday, June 19th, 2026, I report stage motions may23 minutes, 40 seconds
be considered if filed with the clerk of the house before 6:00 a.m. that day. I I if a recorded division is requested in23 minutes, 48 seconds
relation to the report stage, it shall not be deferred. I I I if bill 2 C22A is23 minutes, 55 seconds
concurred in at the report stage, a motion for the third reading may be made immediately thereafter. IV if a recorded24 minutes, 2 seconds
division
is requested in relation to the third reading stage, it shall not be
deferred. V the house shall continue to sit beyond the ordinary hour of
daily24 minutes, 11 seconds
adjournment if required for the purposes of this order. And F, if it be an instruction to the standing committee on24 minutes, 18 seconds
public safety and national security that during its consideration of bill C22B, I the committee shall not commence24 minutes, 25 seconds
consideration of bill C22B before Monday, September 21st, 2026. I I the committee shall receive at least six24 minutes, 34 seconds
further
hours of additional witness testimony concerning the essential tools
required by law enforcement to fight modern crime within a framework24 minutes, 42 seconds
respectful of Canadians personal privacy before commencing clause by clause consideration of bill C22B.24 minutes, 50 seconds
I I I the privacy commissioner of Canada or his representative shall be invited to appear as witnesses during the clause24 minutes, 58 seconds
by clause consideration of bill C22B and D by deleting paragraph G.25 minutes, 8 seconds
So
we're pushing up against the time for um for PMBB hour and I want to
quickly go through uh is the member for San Golf Islands on a point of
order?25 minutes, 16 seconds
The
honorable member for San Golf Islands. This will be as brief as I can,
Mr. Speaker, but the honorable member for Yorkton Malville gave her
farewell address and can I just get on the record25 minutes, 25 seconds
how
much I'm going to miss her and I want to thank her for her service to
our prayer breakfast group when she was chair and just say best of luck
in everything and all my love.25 minutes, 38 seconds
I
thank the honorable member for that uh for that point of order. Um a as
we take the admissibility of the amendment under advisement. I'm going
to quickly go to25 minutes, 45 seconds
questions
and comments and try to get a few very briefly and we have about two
minutes. So we'll take a couple questions and comments very briefly.25 minutes, 52 seconds
Start
with Hamilton Mountain very briefly and then uh Jenna Capel member
speaker I just want to thank the member for her speech. I did serve with
her on26 minutes
veterans
committee in the last parliament. I know she was a great source of
support for many veterans including women veterans. I want to26 minutes, 7 seconds
thank her for her service and wish her all the best in her retirement.26 minutes, 12 seconds
[applause]26 minutes, 12 seconds
The member for Regina, we'll take all the comments and we'll the honorable member Regina Capel.26 minutes, 17 seconds
Thank
you very much, Mr. I. I wonder if there was some goodwill, we could
just maybe not see the clock for about five or six minutes just to
accommodate all the members that may want to wish my26 minutes, 25 seconds
colleague the best. Just are they asking for consent to extend government orders? Is is there consent26 minutes, 34 seconds
to extend government orders for 10 minutes? Is that agreed? Agreed. The hon member for John Capel.26 minutes, 41 seconds
Thank
you very much, Mr. Speaker, and sincere thanks to my colleagues for
that accommodation. I think anytime uh a member is is retiring after
great service of their constituents in in this26 minutes, 50 seconds
house
that it's it's appropriate that we show that kind of grace. I just want
to quickly extend all the very best to my colleague from York to
Melville. We've worked together since 2015. We share a26 minutes, 59 seconds
border.
We have many constituents that travel back and forth between her
communities and mine. And one of the things that I have admired from my
colleague is her conviction, her dedication to her four core principles.27 minutes, 11 seconds
The
the I was given advice when I first got to this place that was uh you
know uh you should always know what you're willing to resign over or
you're always27 minutes, 19 seconds
you
should always know what you're willing to lose your seat over. You
should always know those limits upon which you cannot compromise because
those are your core values and your core27 minutes, 28 seconds
beliefs.
And I believe that Canadians respect that. Canadians want to see people
elected in this House of Commons that don't just uh go with the flow or27 minutes, 35 seconds
read the polls and make decisions afterwards, but have a clear sense of who they are and what they're all about.27 minutes, 40 seconds
And
I think the fact that her constituents keep sending her back to fight
for them and represent them is a great testament to her character, her27 minutes, 47 seconds
integrity,
and everything that she brought to representing her constituents and
speaking on their behalf in this House of Commons. So, very quickly, uh I27 minutes, 55 seconds
wish
you all the very best. I wish you and your husband all the very best in
your retirement and everyone in your family and thank you for all
you've brought to the Conservative Party of28 minutes, 3 seconds
Canada, the official opposition and the parliament. Thank you so much Kathy.28 minutes, 7 seconds
[applause]28 minutes, 10 seconds
Questions and comments a comment the honorable member for Caribou Prince George.28 minutes, 16 seconds
Thank
you Mr. Speaker and I just want to extend uh much the same as what uh
uh our other colleague has done. You know, I was elected with uh my
friend in 2015.28 minutes, 26 seconds
Um, and as many know, we go through highs and lows in this uh in this job, and she's always been resolute in her28 minutes, 34 seconds
faith. She is a strong supporter of her colleagues. And she was always one if you were going through a hard time or if28 minutes, 41 seconds
she found out that uh you or a loved one were struggling, she was quick to tell you that she was praying for you. And I28 minutes, 48 seconds
don't
know about you, Mr. speaker, but when somebody reaches out to tell you
that they're praying for you, it is deeply personal and it means a whole28 minutes, 56 seconds
lot. So, uh, from my family, uh, through you, Mr. Speaker, from my family to my colleague, I wish her all the success29 minutes, 4 seconds
and, uh, thank you for the the years that she spent with us here in this house. So, thank you.29 minutes, 10 seconds
Member
Hall Elmer. [applause] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to also wish
the honorable member from Yorkton Melville, a woman who I've gotten to29 minutes, 17 seconds
know
uh through a national prayer breakfast. Through prayer breakfast, we've
we've sat together, we've talked together, and I wish her the very very29 minutes, 26 seconds
best to her and her family uh for having served her constituents of York and Melbourne with great honor and uh Mr.29 minutes, 32 seconds
Speaker,
uh in Parliament, it's a it's a very unforgiving job, but uh she has
acquitted herself well, and I do wish her the very best. [applause]29 minutes, 41 seconds
I
see several members We we will have to keep these brief. So I'll
recognize the member for Regina Louu Van and then there's three others.29 minutes, 48 seconds
I'll
recognize them very briefly if they can keep all their comments brief
to allow the member a brief chance to respond at the very end. The
honorable member I'll keep it very brief. Uh this member29 minutes, 56 seconds
from
York Melville Cathy has been a great uh colleague but she really
embodies the three things that we talk about as conservatives. Faith,
family,30 minutes, 4 seconds
and
freedom. And she always asks about people's families. And I'm a big
family guy. and the fact that she's uh resigning to spend more time with
her30 minutes, 11 seconds
husband
and their beautiful kids and grandkids. It really is a testament to uh
leaving on a high note and leaving uh at the appropriate time. I hope
her and30 minutes, 19 seconds
Marty
have the best in her retirement and just thank you for always being
there and talking about family and making sure your colleagues families
were always in top top of mind. It's30 minutes, 28 seconds
something I've always appreciate. Best of love Kathy have a great retirement. The honorable member for Sheffford.30 minutes, 37 seconds
Thank you very much Mr. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to wish her a happy30 minutes, 43 seconds
retirement to this uh well for ver barely 30% of uh MPs who are women. Even30 minutes, 51 seconds
if we don't always share the same opinions, we're in the same we are in a democracy and we h we should be able to30 minutes, 58 seconds
debate and uh not be afraid to speak our minds.31 minutes, 2 seconds
And again again we'll try to keep these brief. heaviest suitcases, uh, best laugh, and, uh, you know what,31 minutes, 11 seconds
Kathy, I just wanted to say that you may not have been a veteran, but you had the heart of a veteran. And, uh, truly, I31 minutes, 18 seconds
respect you and love you, and I will miss you, and I'll miss our cappuccinos. The honorable for Saskatoon South.31 minutes, 26 seconds
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had two or three years as SAS caucus chair and we moved our summer meetings around and I31 minutes, 34 seconds
remember saying to this member, we're coming to York Melville and what a delightful two days that we had in York31 minutes, 43 seconds
Malville because of her. You know, she brought the community together, the indigenous leaders, we had a sensational31 minutes, 50 seconds
meeting with them. We had tours uh with York. But I also remember one thing about her, you know, when you as a31 minutes, 59 seconds
caucasure when you kind of say we're gonna come and um she was up to the task, it was fabulous. But I also32 minutes, 7 seconds
remember that community, the best Ukrainian food in this country. So I just want to say to the honorable32 minutes, 16 seconds
member, happy retirement for her and her husband Marty and our caucus.32 minutes, 23 seconds
really indebted to her for the 10 and a half years that she served.32 minutes, 28 seconds
The honorable member for Middle Sex London, final comment and then we'll give the floor to the member for York.32 minutes, 32 seconds
Thank
you very much, uh, Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, I just want to say
thank you to my colleague. I am one of the rare people in this chamber
who had32 minutes, 39 seconds
an
opportunity to work with her as a staff member. Um, and actually I was a
volunteer afterwards. um when I left the Hill as being a staffer, uh
she was32 minutes, 48 seconds
chair
of the National Prayer Breakfast for four years and I just want to
thank her for her service on that as well. Um she really brought a lot
of meaning to32 minutes, 55 seconds
that
role as chair and I I admire your faith and your conviction and not
being afraid to share that with everybody else. So, thank you for being
such a33 minutes, 4 seconds
great example to me and other staffers on the hill as well. And we will miss you see seeing you here. Congratulations33 minutes, 10 seconds
[applause]33 minutes, 12 seconds
member
for Honor Mercier. Um, I'd like to thank the member from York to
Melville for her nearly 11 years of service. Uh, earlier today, I made a33 minutes, 21 seconds
member
statement uh where I acknowledged uh five departing members of
parliament and I learned shortly after uh about your departure. So, if I
could, I would33 minutes, 29 seconds
revise my member statement uh to include six uh departing members. Um, I got to spend a brief moment of time uh with the33 minutes, 38 seconds
member
on veteran affairs for a few months and really appreciated her
insights. Um, I'm hoping, my understanding is that she has nine33 minutes, 45 seconds
grandchildren.
So, I'm hoping she'll spend some time 10 grandchildren. So, I'm hoping
that the member will spend a lot of time with her 10 grandchildren.
Thank you, Mr.33 minutes, 55 seconds
Speaker.33 minutes, 56 seconds
And
before I give the floor to the member for York Melville, I'll just say
on behalf of all members, wish her and her family good health and
happiness as she proceeds next journey in her life.34 minutes, 4 seconds
The honorable member for York Melville.34 minutes, 6 seconds
Well,
thank you so much, Mr. Speaker, and for your patience through this
unusual event. I think thank you to everyone who has spoken and all that
are here. It blows me away.34 minutes, 18 seconds
Um well Kathy and but I also I I can't forget to just quickly thank my writing.34 minutes, 27 seconds
Yes, the people there are just phenomenal and my family as well. So it's been an honor to serve here. I'm not leaving34 minutes, 35 seconds
because I don't love the job. Uh, it's great and we have a great uh uh house here. Let's make Canada proud.34 minutes, 44 seconds
Thank you. [applause]34 minutes, 54 seconds
[applause]
