Hon. Bill Rompkey:

Honourable senators, Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for everything — a time to come and a time to go. I saw a friend of mine in the lower corridor the other night whom I had not seen for 25 years, and she asked, "Are you still here?" I knew it was time to go, and it is time to go, but I have some people I want to thank.

As an aside, John Crosbie wore his mukluks during the budget he delivered in 1979. We defeated the budget, but not John Crosbie. Next week, in St. John's, he will be hosting a ceremony that recognizes the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement in Northern Labrador and the creation of Nunatsiavut. Those people returned me to the House of Commons seven times in succession. I want to thank them and tell them, through you, honourable senators, that it has been a privilege to work with them. I want to thank the people all over Labrador.

My first riding was Grand Falls—White Bay—Labrador, which was about 130,000 square miles, including people on the Great Northern Peninsula, in Central Newfoundland, and in the Grand Falls—Windsor area, as Senator Marshall will know. It has been a privilege and an honour for me to serve them. I always remember the words of Mike Forrestall, who said that elected office is like having a love affair with your constituents. Those of us who serve know how important that bond is. It is a privilege that is not given to everyone, but it is a privilege that I value, and I am sure honourable senators do as well.

That riding was big, and I was away from home quite a lot. I had two small children. My daughter was five when I came to Ottawa and my son was a year old. One night, as he was getting ready for bed and his mother was reading to him, he said, "Mom, have I been in politics all my life?" Sure enough, he had.

Carolyn minded the house. Those of you who have experienced this, as I have, know that one cannot do it alone; one must have that support. Carolyn has been a strong support, and not just at home; she has also been a terrific campaigner. As a matter of fact, some say that Carolyn is the real politician in the family. I want to thank her.

I know that other members of the staff who have worked for me over the years are in the gallery, but I know they will understand if I say that I owe so much to Janice Marshall, who has been with me for over 20 years. I would go to the riding, and people would say, "Thanks very much for what you did for us." I would not have a clue what it was that I had done, because Janice had looked after it. She has been there for me and has been very loyal. You need that kind of support when you do this job. I want to give her my thanks, too.

I want to thank honourable senators for the relationship we have had here. I sit in awe of the talent around me in this chamber. This is a terrific chamber of people, from all walks of life, who contribute so much to Canada. It is a privilege to have worked with you, and I encourage you to keep up the good work. I think that the people of Canada do not really know what they have in this chamber. The irony is that the essence of the chamber is so high, yet the opinion of the Canadian people, through the media, is not as high as it should be. However, we soldier on. We do good work. I want to encourage you to keep it up. I will miss you.

I will miss my seatmate. We sat here and reviewed the passing parade each day. All of you are in the parade; you did not even know it. However, we made no notes and it will be kept in confidence. I will miss the people; I will miss the Hill, which has been my life for 40 years. I will miss it all and I appreciate the opportunity that I was given and it will be a memory for me always.

Bonne chance! À demain!

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

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