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Today, our Leader Bob Rae was selected by his peers from all political parties as Canada’s “Parliamentarian of the Year” for 2011.
Every year since 2006, Maclean’s magazine, together with the Dominion Institute, conducts an annual survey of all Members of Parliament to determine which among them best exhibit the talents and qualities that are most admired in their service in the House of Commons, such as best speaker, most knowledgeable or hardest working. Out of these results, one MP is chosen as the strongest all-round performer.
This year that honour goes to Bob – the Member of Parliament for Toronto-Centre and the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada!
As the first “Parliamentarian of the Year” back in 2006, I know what a thrill it is to be recognized in this way – because this award reflects the judgment of those who work with you daily on the floor of the House. They see you up close and personal, and cut across all party lines.
With Mr. Rae in Halifax today, it was my pleasure to accept the award on his behalf.
Bob Rae has enormous respect for the parliamentary institutions and procedures by which Canadians govern themselves. He knows the rules and uses them to great effect. He is a masterful speaker. The length and breadth of his experience in local, provincial, national and international affairs set him apart in terms of the knowledge and perspective he brings to House affairs.
In debates and in Question period, Bob Rae commands high quality attention in the Parliament of Canada, and he does it with good will and good humour that attracts admiration from all side of the House.
I’m proud to be his seatmate.
- Ralph Goodale
