Iain Francis Angus (Whip of the N.D.P.)
New Democratic Party
Mr. Iain Angus (Thunder Bay-Atikokan):
Mr. Speaker, I rise not to speak on the motion but to say a few words about the mover of the motion.
Today has been a day of tributes to many members. The member for Skeena will not be re-offering, as they say out east, but has chosen to move on with his life. I want to say a few words on behalf of my caucus and Canadians about Jim Fulton.
We have clearly heard in the last couple of minutes his passion for the environment. There is no question about his commitment to making this country and this planet a place that will survive. But he has also fought hard for justice for the aboriginal peoples. He has fought hard for Canada to keep it Canada. He has been involved for many, many years with the Canadian-U.S. parliamentary association. He has taken the issues into the United
June 16, 1993
Private Members' Business
States or brought American legislators into Canada to talk about the issues that affect us on both sides of the border. I can remember a number of times when he said 54:40 or fight in caucus. He had a passion for matters that affected us.
I want to say thanks to Jim Fulton on behalf of Canadians, on behalf of this House and on behalf of the NDP caucus. I also want to say thanks to Liz and the kids for loaning Jim to us for awhile. There are a few of us who recognize that there is a time to move on and get back into the family which Jim has done. He has made the decision that he wants to spend some time with his kids while they are still kids and while he can still know them.
Mr. Speaker, if I can say through you to Liz and the kids, we want him back after awhile. We want him to seek a new mandate four years from now or eight years from now because he has a lot of intelligence, a lot of knowledge and a lot of heart which is part of what makes this place work so well and part of what makes this country so great.
I am pleased to be able to say that Jim Fulton is a friend, although quite frankly as Whip of my caucus there were times when he has driven me not just to distraction but beyond it. In fact I am told that a previous Whip actually had to call Air Canada to prevent Jim Fulton from getting on a plane one day when he was supposed to be back here for a vote. I have never had to take those steps although I have grabbed him by the ear or the scruff of the neck to say: "Jimmy, what are you up to?" But he is a friend and we are all going to miss him and we all say thanks.
Subtopic: THE ENVIRONMENT
Sub-subtopic: RIGHT TO SUE GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS