Memorial service for deceased parliamentarians
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The Honourable Raymonde Gagné, Speaker of the Senate,
Fellow parliamentarians,
Distinguished guests,
I, in turn, wish to express my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the former parliamentarians we lost this past year.
All Members of Parliament and the entire House of Commons Administration join me in extending our deepest sympathies.
Losing a loved one is never easy.
The grief we experience in the wake of a loss is a deeply personal journey that is characterized by waves of sorrow, love and memories, as well as moments where we smile as we reflect on the special place this person held in our hearts.
We come together as a grateful parliamentary family to recognize the depth of your loss, and the loss to Canada, of extraordinary individuals who heeded the call to service to country.
It is only fitting that we honour their memory and celebrate their contributions to the Canada we know today.
As you all know only too well, the work of a parliamentarian is something of a lifetime endeavour, one that entails great sacrifices—on themselves and on their families and friends.
During my many years here on Parliament Hill, I had the good fortune to know many of those who we mourn and celebrate today.
No matter the background and motivation that brought them to Ottawa, through shared experiences and commitment to Canada, they inspired colleagues and left an indelible legacy.
We are very much a family on Parliament Hill, and like every family, things can get complicated sometimes.
But the bonds between us are strong and prevail over any differences on policy, because we are united in our passion for a better country.
Whether their service was brief or long, many years ago or more recent, it was not without sacrifice, a sacrifice you undoubtedly know very well.
On behalf of the House of Commons, allow me to express our deep appreciation for sharing your loved ones with us.
Their years of service have left us with a meaningful legacy.
We are honoured to follow in their footsteps and pay tribute to them.
As we share in your sorrow, we celebrate lives that made a lasting difference.
May their memories be eternal and always a blessing.
Thank you.
