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OTTAWA—Former government House leader Jay Hill announced his imminent departure from Parliament this week, ending a career representing the British Columbia riding of Prince George-Peace River that has spanned 17 years and five political parties.
On Monday, House leaders who worked opposite Hill rose in the House of Commons to both pay him tribute and roast him, including former Liberal House leader Ralph Goodale.
“I hope that these few minutes in the House today may prove to be one of those rare occasions when this place can climb above itself to a better plane,” said Goodale as he began his speech.
“The member for Prince George-Peace River was one of those MPs who could hear and understand and respect somebody else’s different point of view. I found that I could always deal with him on a straight-up basis.
“More generally, we could have candid discussions about serious issues as House leaders. We would rarely agree, as I mentioned before, but we could come to a conclusion about how the parliamentary procedural dimensions of those issues ought to be handled. We could look each other in the eye, shake hands on it, and be absolutely confident that each would keep his word.
“That element of trust is fundamental to the functioning of this place and is a rare quality, and I always respected that in that particular gentleman.
“I say to my friend from Prince George-Peace River, yes indeed I am sorry to see you go. I will not have to listen anymore to your long-winded answers to my very short and succinct Thursday questions about House business, but I will miss your goodwill and your respect for Parliament and for the people who work here on all sides of the chamber.
“I want, on behalf of the official opposition, to wish all the best to the member for Prince George-Peace River, to his wife and to his family. He leaves this place with a reputation for decency, and that is a high accomplishment for all of us who serve in public life.
“May I leave him with a short poem that I think neatly sums up the life of a House leader in the House of Commons. All party leaders should pay attention to this:
“It’s not my place
To run the train
The whistle I can’t blow.
It’s not my place
To say how far
The train’s allowed to go.
It’s not my place
To shoot off steam
Nor even clang the bell.
But let the damn thing
Jump the track…
And see who catches hell!”
Hill has said he will leave his seat on Oct. 25 which will prompt a by-election in his riding.
