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9 avril 2021

  HANSARD21-14

DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS

Speaker: Honourable Kevin Murphy

Published by Order of the Legislature by Hansard Reporting Services and printed by the Queen's Printer.

Available on INTERNET at http://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/hansard-debates/



Third Session

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTSPAGE
 

STATEMENTS OF CONDOLENCE ON THE DEATH OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS
THE PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURG
1076
1077
1077
1078
ADJOURNMENT, House rose to meet again on Mon., Apr. 12th at 5:00 p.m
1079

 

[Page 1075]

HALIFAX, FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

Sixty-third General Assembly

Third Session

9:40 A.M.

SPEAKER

Hon. Kevin Murphy

DEPUTY SPEAKERS

Keith Bain, Susan Leblanc

THE SPEAKER » : Order, please. Good morning, everybody.

In view of the sad news coming out of London this morning that Prince Philip has passed away, it is the agreement of the House Leaders and the Speaker that the Nova Scotia House of Assembly will set aside its daily routine for today, with the consent of the House.

We will have some prepared statements, beginning with the Premier, and then we will adjourn.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

The honourable Premier.

HON. IAIN RANKIN (The Premier) «: Mr. Speaker, I rise on what is a deeply sad day for Nova Scotia, Canada, and the Commonwealth. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died earlier today. He was 99 years old and he died peacefully at his beloved home at Windsor Castle.

[Page 1076]

He led a good life, a long life, and one devoted to public service.

For nearly 74 years, he was at Queen Elizabeth's side, playing a supporting role to the monarch, but you could never say he was in her shadow. Rather, Prince Philip's acerbic wit and his constant and confident presence shone through.

He was no stranger to Nova Scotia. He visited our province officially five times over 60 years. He first came to Nova Scotia's shores during the Second World War while a young officer in the Royal Navy. He landed here in Halifax during the Battle of the Atlantic.

In 1951, he and then-Princess Elizabeth toured the province on behalf of her ailing father, King George VI. They arrived by train from New Brunswick to Amherst, where 3,000 children greeted them. By then, they were in Truro, where 20,000 people had turned out. Later, 50,000 people came to see them in Halifax. They were a popular couple in our province.

His final visit in June 2010 was to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy. He and Queen Elizabeth also participated in a Halifax International Fleet review and attended a Mi'kmaw cultural event on the Halifax Commons to honour the 400th anniversary of the baptism of Grand Chief Henri Membertou.

Just a year ago, the Queen and Prince Philip sent a message of condolence to the families and loved ones of the 22 Nova Scotians who were killed in the mass shooting.

During his decades of service, Prince Philip supported many charities and created the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award program that was aimed at young people. Thousands of Nova Scotia youth have participated in the program that encourages their development through personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance, and responsibility.

Over the past years, the Prince had gradually stepped away from his royal duties, and in August of 2017, he retired completely at the age of 96.

On behalf of all Nova Scotians, I want to express my deepest condolences to Queen Elizabeth and her family.

THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition.

[9:45 a.m.]

[Page 1077]

TIM HOUSTON « » : I rise today to commemorate the life of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He truly did live a life of humility and public service.

The Premier mentioned some of his visits to Nova Scotia, and, certainly, Nova Scotians will remember his visit here in 1958 to meet with the survivors following the mining disaster in Springhill. He sat and talked to survivors at that time in the hospital. He also went for tea at the home of Mary Raper, who had lost her husband in the tragedy. We remember that type of humility from Prince Philip.

He was married to Princess Elizabeth in 1947, and he served by her side for more than 70 years - the longest-serving consort in British history. That is truly, truly remarkable.

He did work well into his 90s, and he'll be remembered for his incredible work ethic. People across the Commonwealth will remember the Duke for that incredible work ethic, his love of his country, and his incredible devotion to the Queen.

We join all members of the Legislature and Nova Scotians in offering our sincere condolences to the Queen and her family.

THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable Leader of the New Democratic Party.

GARY BURRILL « » : We in the NDP join in the sorrow of the people of Nova Scotia in marking today the passing of Prince Philip.

I was one of the many people in Nova Scotia pleased to meet His Royal Highness on his last royal tour of Nova Scotia, when it was my privilege as the MLA at that time for the Stanfield Airport to greet him and Queen Elizabeth on their arrival. He assured me then what a pleasure it was for him and for them to be again on the soil of Nova Scotia.

I think particularly today of his very warm greeting to my mother on a subsequent evening, when the royal couple met the public at Pier 21. He enquired whether or not my mother was a war bride, and she made clear to him that she was much too young for that. [Laughter] It was an important moment for her, serving as a kind of warm reminder, as for so many people, of the continuity of Prince Philip's presence in the lives of the people of our province over so many decades.

I also want, following the lead of the Premier, to highlight the important role that Prince Philip has played in creating the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. That's an award in which thousands of young people in Nova Scotia have taken part over the years, and, in fact, one of the pilot projects out of which the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award was first developed took place in Nova Scotia in 1963. The goal of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award has been to promote self-directed development and learning for young people. It's an award that encourages young people in setting goals for service and skills and instilling in young people a spirit of adventure. There are more than 500,000 people across Canada who have taken part in this program, and the award is a testament to Prince Philip's work as the consort of Canada's sovereign.

[Page 1078]

The people of Nova Scotia extend ourselves in sympathy to Her Majesty The Queen and to the Royal Family on this sad day.

THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Cape Breton-Richmond.

ALANA PAON « » : I just wanted to stand here and, again, to my great shock - as much as we all know that the lives of all our loved ones will someday come to an end, it is always a shock when we see someone who has been a constant in our lives leave us at any time. I want to extend my sincere condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the members of the Royal Family on the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

My colleagues have mentioned here today some of the highlights of his life, but for me, as it is with most people whom I see in a very strong and long marriage, it is extraordinary to me that Her Majesty and Prince Philip - this couple who have been role models - were together for almost three-quarters of a century. To me, that is probably one of the most extraordinary accomplishments that two people can have in their lives.

I was always appreciative of Prince Philip's quick wit, although it was sometimes controversial. Whenever I needed to have a laugh during my day, I sometimes would go on and see some of the videos of him in some of his moments of saying something to a passerby.

A steadfast nature is something that I have come to greatly appreciate, especially in the man in my own life who is extremely steadfast. Of course, as a woman myself now sitting in this House, I grew up seeing Her Majesty in a position of leadership. I also saw Prince Philip not behind her, but by her side. As we all know, there is the saying that behind every good man, there is a good woman. I grew up seeing, as well, that beside an extraordinary woman there was a very good man.

THE SPEAKER « » : I would now ask that all members please rise as we observe a moment of silence in memory of Prince Philip.

[9:52 a.m. The House observed a moment of silence.]

THE SPEAKER « » : Thank you.

The honourable Government House Leader.

HON. GEOFF MACLELLAN » : Mr. Speaker, obviously as a sign of full respect on behalf of the Nova Scotia Legislature for the Prince Consort, and in sympathy with Her Majesty The Queen, I move that the House do now adjourn for the day and the government business will resume on Monday, April 12th, 2021, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.

The daily routine will be followed by the Committee of the Whole House and Subcommittee on Supply, also noting that the Committee on Law Amendments will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Monday morning. Today's identified government business that we will not cover today will be carried over to Tuesday, April 13th: second reading on Bills No. 98, 103, and 105, and third reading of Bill No. 4.

THE SPEAKER « » : The motion is for the House to adjourn to meet again on Monday, April the 12th at 5:00 p.m.

All those in favour? Contrary minded? Thank you.

The motion is carried.

The House now stands adjourned until Monday, April 12th at 5:00 p.m.

[The House rose at 9:54 a.m.]

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