CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

On Monday, we lost Jim Carr.

We heard the news a couple hours later, here in this House, and held a moment of silence.

It was news that none of us wanted. And it was news that we weren’t expecting, yet.

Jim had been fighting multiple myeloma and kidney failure.

But he always had energy – able to withstand so much.

Jim had stood in this House last week and talked about how much he loved his country.

He said: “I love every square metre of this country ‒ in English, en français, in Indigenous languages, in the languages of the newly arrived.”

He said this as part of one of his final moments in this Parliament, which were marked by the triumph of passing his Private Member’s Bill, the Building a Green Prairie Economy Act.

It is an Act that’s about preserving a way of life in the prairies and unleashing new potential.

An Act that makes sure Prairie people see themselves represented in national policy ‒ not just political leaders, but workers' unions, Indigenous Peoples, farmers, and businesses.

An Act that seeks to leave behind a healthier environment.

It was an act of hope for the future.

And an act of love for his country.

It was also an act of courage.

Jim understood that this wasn’t his future.

It was ours.

It was his kids’ and his grandkids’.

In October, he told me that he was stopping treatment.

It was a private moment, in his hometown.

Jim knew it was for the best.

But he never let up on his commitment to serving Winnipeggers, Western Canadians, and all Canadians.

And to building a better future.

We just get this one life.

And Jim showed us how to live it well.

To live it with decency; to live it with integrity.

To devote ourselves to service.

And to try to leave the world a little better place than we came to it.

Jim will be missed in caucus, missed around the Cabinet table. But most of all, he will be missed by his family.

Jim embodied that unique set of characteristics that distinguish people from the prairies:

His clear headedness, his pragmatism, his decency.

The government will forever be better for it.

All the staff that worked for him were drawn in by his warmth.

And the members of the public service, too.

Jim was a gentleman.

Jim was a mentor.

Jim was a friend to many.

Jim was a great Canadian.

Jim dedicated himself to public service right up until the very end of his life.

But Jim lived many lives. And distinguished himself in many ways.

He was an oboist in the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, who loved music passionately.

He was a journalist, committed to the essential role a free press plays in a strong democracy.

He had a deep Jewish faith and was a leader in his spiritual community.

Most importantly:

He was a husband to Colleen.

A father to Ben, Rachel, Rebecca, Kiernan, Daniel, and Jesse.

A grandfather to Michelle, Sophia, and Markian.

To his family: I hope that the gratitude of all Canadians for Jim’s service, thoughtfulness, and kindness can comfort you as you grieve.

May his memory be a blessing.