QP: A death in the House

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The death of Conservative MP Jim Hillyer shocked Parliament Hill, and all plans for the day were cancelled. The Conservatives cancelled their national caucus meeting to mourn instead, and it was agreed that the day in the Commons would be cancelled after a few brief statements of condolence. Hillyer died in his office on Sparks Street at some point either last night or this morning, likely from a complication to a bone infection that he was suffering from, yet nevertheless insisted on coming to Ottawa for budget day.

When the Commons assembled, Rona Ambrose rose in her place, mini-lectern on the neighbouring desk and a binder with her remarks upon it. Fighting back tears, Ambrose read about Hillyer’s sense of humour, his camaraderie with his colleagues, and his relationship with his caucus colleagues. Ambrose noted that Hillyer had already beaten Leukaemia, and noted his ski accident a couple of years ago when during his convalescence, he was riding a mobility scooter around the Hill to get around, which again prompted gentle ribbing from the staff on the Hill.

After Ambrose finished, and the sustained standing ovation for it, Justin Trudeau got up to speak, also from prepared remarks with the mini-lectern on his desk. While Trudeau’s remarks were less about Hillyer personally, they were directed more to every MP in the chamber, saying that his death should be cause for them to “reflect that we don’t know each other as well as we should in this place.” He noted that MPs don’t “dig into the lives and stories that each of us brings to this place.” Trudeau noted that if there is a positive outcome from Hiillyer’s death, it was that that they should take more occasions to get to know each other a little more, as “We are bound together, all of us, in service to this country.”

Thomas Mulcair, again with lectern, spoke with emotion in his voice about the parliamentary family in mourning. He noted Hillyer’s office being awarded for exemplary service, and that Hillyer had been granted an Indigenous name by the Blackfoot Cultural Society for his work on Indigenous issues.

Bloc interim leader Rhéal Fortin offered condolences, and said that the event “reminds us of how deeply human the work we do in this House is.” Elizabeth May, her voice breaking, said that she was moved by Ambrose’s words, and that she too considered Hillyer a friend. She added that his strong sense of duty was exemplified by his insistence on being here for budget day, and that if all anyone can hope is that they can have a life well-lived, Hillyer excelled at that.

A moment of silence followed, and upon its conclusion, Government House Leader Dominic LeBlanc stood to move a motion to adjourn the House for the day, and to set tomorrow at Friday hours (as Friday is a holiday), and as part of that, that Bill C-7 be ushered though Second Reading phase by the end of the day. While he said that he had support from all parties on the motion, the Bloc denied consent, and with some visible annoyance, LeBlanc moved simply that the House adjourn for the day. Motion granted, the Speaker left the chair, and everyone was left to mourn.