Mr. Speaker, I love decorum. Do not take this personally, but I am going to turn my back to you so I can speak directly to the member for Honoré-Mercier.

We met for the first time on August 5, 2015. It was through the media, because we had 10 debates during the 2015 election campaign on a program called 24/60. I was always pitted against the member for Honoré-Mercier, so we spent our first 10 meetings constantly bickering. Although he says he is not looking for a fight, he was looking for one in those days. I proudly defended the Conservative government's record, while he did his best for the Liberal Party. We also know how that turned out.

I want to commend my friend, the member for Honoré-Mercier. His personal story is very inspiring for everyone. He told it earlier. He is the son of immigrants who were forced out of their country because of armed violence. When he arrived here in Quebec, in Canada, he did not know who Guy Lafleur or Beau Dommage were and he only spoke Spanish. Within a few years, he could speak three languages, he could break down every one of Guy Lafleur's plays, and he knew all the words to every Beau Dommage song. I hope I am not giving away a secret, but he told me that his happiest moments in politics were when he was the heritage minister. He is a musician at heart, an artist, and he has a passion for life. I know that he is going to apply the same qualities and ambitions in another territory. No one is perfect.

His political career was a little different. He chose to get into politics. He made a choice. He said earlier that losing might have been the best thing that ever happened to him in politics. He won six times and lost once. I won six times and have not lost yet. I am not saying I would like to lose, far from it, but apparently it is a great learning experience. He lost the Honoré‑Mercier riding once, so that proves that no one's seat here is guaranteed. Anyone can be hit by a wave out of nowhere that carries us all to a new place. It can happen to anyone. It happened to the member for Honoré‑Mercier.

Faced with an ordeal, we have two options. We can crumble, lie low and whine, or we can stand up, tackle the situation head-on and come out victorious. That is what he did. Oddly enough, he was not appointed to cabinet right away. I must admit that I was quite surprised, and I was not the only one. I remember very clearly that Jean Lapierre said, with deep affection for the member for Honoré‑Mercier, that he might not have been appointed minister, but he still did a good job.

He served as minister of Canadian heritage and then as minister of transport. He was also the leader of the government in the House of Commons. This made him my counterpart, since I had the honour of serving as House leader of the official opposition under Erin O'Toole, and I can vouch for one thing: He was not looking for a fight. We talked often. We talked a lot, in fact. We were able to have discussions. Sure, in politics, it might look like we argue all day. That happens sometimes, or often. We always think we are right and the others are wrong. The truth is that we need dialogue and interesting conversations.

However, I must say one thing. He has been pretty sneaky lately. Over the past year, he has often risen in the House to talk about what is happening in Quebec, but he never let on to me what was going on with him. I thought that was a bit secretive of him. We will see what Quebeckers decide to do in this situation. If things work out, I would be very honoured to welcome him to the riding of Louis‑Saint‑Laurent, which is not so far from the National Assembly. I know my way around that place, so if he wants some advice, I would be happy to talk to him about it.

In closing, the member for Honoré‑Mercier and I do have some things in common. We are both sons of immigrants. Some might say that our hair looks the same, but I do not have a beard like him. We also both have children. We both have the privilege of being fathers. Our children, his daughter and my daughter, have the same name. I want to say hello to Béatrice. I also send my regards to the entire family sitting in the gallery. My daughter's name is Béatrice, in case that was not clear. My regards to them and to everyone who is here for him today. What a beautiful sign of the friendship and affection they feel for him as their father, husband or colleague.

There is one thing that truly unites the member for Honoré-Mercier and me, and that is our passion for Canada.

I wish my old friend every success for the future.

Gérard Deltell

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