Hon. William Scott (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Veterans Affairs):

Mr. Speaker, it is with deep regret that I rise today to remember the late Harold Danforth.

Harold Danforth first came to Ottawa representing the riding of Kent, which later became Kent-Essex. He joined the Diefenbaker team in 1958. After a defeat in 1962 he rejoined us again in 1963.

I had the privilege of serving with him from 1965 until the 1974 general election. From the time we first met it was apparent that we had a lot of things in common. He had a farm background and had served in various positions on the fair boards and local and provincial federations of agriculture. He was veiy committed to the agricultural community and had served on municipal council before entering politics.

I remember Harold as a kind man who placed an emphasis on duty to his constituents. He had a way about him that made him very approachable and his jovial nature attracted people to him.

As I often say we all come into this world with the same contract with the Almighty. There is a beginning and an end. None of us knows when that end may come so it is up to us to make the best of the years we have.

Harold Danforth certainly made the best of his life. He made the world a better place in which to live for those whom he touched.

On behalf of the Progressive Conservative Party, I express my condolences to his family and friends. Harold may be gone but his memories will remain in these halls forever.

Hon. William Scott (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Veterans Affairs):

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and parliamentary contribution of a former colleague who represented Vancouver East from 1953 until 1972, Harold Edward Winch.

February 3, 1993

An electrician by trade Harold was very proud of his work and role as a founding member of the New Democratic Party and the CCF before that.

I served with Harold from the time I came here in 1965 until 1972. Although I have not had the pleasure of talking with him for many years, my memories of him are of a jovial, hard-working member who cared deeply for his constituents.

On behalf of the Progressive Conservative Party, I join with all members in this House and the former members who knew him in expressing my condolences to his friends and family.

Those who contribute so much to others are always missed in the community but they are never forgotten.

Hon. William Scott (Victoria -Haliburton):

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition duly certified by the clerk of petitions signed by 97 citizens from Lindsay, Omemee, Pontypool, Kirkfield, Little Britain, Beaverton, Dunsford, Oakwood, Newmarket and Osha-wa.

They are calling upon Parliament to revise the laws of Canada to replace the Young Offenders Act with an

Privilege

updated juvenile delinquents act and a lowered maximum age of 13 years.

Mr. William Scott (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Veterans Affairs):

Mr. Speaker, I feel privileged to rise today to pay tribute to a fine gentleman who served this Parliament and this country well for over 40 years.

September 9, 1992

The Hon. George Mcllraith was first elected to the House of Commons in 1940 and had already established an illustrious reputation as government House leader when I came here in 1965.

He had begun his career as parliamentary secretary to the Hon. C. D. Howe during the difficult times of the Second World War.

George Mcllraith served many prime ministers. Over the 32 years he was in the House of Commons, he was sworn to the Privy Council by the Right Hon. Lester Pearson in 1963 and held several portfolios before he was summoned to the Senate in 1972. His retirement from the Senate in 1983 marked the end of 43 years of active service to the country he loved so dearly.

I served in the House of Commons with the hon. gentleman for seven years and we sat in different chambers for another eleven years after that. My memories of George Mcllraith will be of a true gentleman who always acted in a very straightforward manner. He was an excellent worker for his constituents and a credit to the Parliament that he so loved.

To his family and friends I express my condolences. To Parliament I extend hope that his memory will be an inspiration to us all in our efforts to make this a more productive and civil place to carry on the business of our nation.

Mr. William Scott (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Veterans Affairs):

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today on behalf of the Government of Canada to recognize the 30th anniversary of the election of the hon. member for Windsor West to the House of Commons. He is the longest continuous serving member of Parliament.

When I came here as a rookie in 1965, he was already a fixture as the hon. member for Essex West. Only the hon. member for Saint-Denis can claim to have sat in Parliament with the hon. member for Windsor West before then, having been elected in a by-election in 1964.

Over the years we have seen many changes in the House of Commons. Good friends have come and gone and been replaced by new good friends. What has never changed is the dedication of the hon. member for Windsor West to the process that is exemplified by the House of Commons.

Today we find ourselves in the middle of yet another discussion on the future of our country. The hon. member for Windsor West can no doubt recall many instances over the past 30 years when the future of our country was at stake. Each time he rose above the partisanship that existed here to make a valiant defence of the virtues of our country.

The hon. member for Windsor West has worn many hats in the last 30 years. He has been Minister of National Revenue, Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce, Minister of Regional and Economic Expansion, President of the Treasury Board, Opposition House Leader and Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in 1990.

Tributes

He was a royal pain in the side of our government at that time.

Thirty years of service to the people of Canada as a federal member of Parliament is something to be very proud of. I join with his family and friends and hon. members from all sides of this House in wishing the hon. member for Windsor West a very happy 30th anniversary.