Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago two high school students, David Shepherd and Travis Price, bought 50 pink T-shirts in support of a boy in their class, or at the school, who was bullied, and today we celebrate that as Pink Shirt Day. Those values, Mr. Speaker, today seem more relevant than ever. I honestly thought bullying was a thing of the past, left in the schoolyard, becoming a relic of childhood, and because adults, as we all know, should know better, be better, and act as role models for their communities, and especially for their kids. Mr. Speaker, this year I have been absolutely disgusted by the actions of some of those who occupy positions of power, or aspire to occupied positions of power, both in the world and in our own country.
Mr. Speaker, the last time I spoke in this House, the climate of fear, discrimination, and hate has been like we have not seen in decades. Bullying has always been a part of the human condition, but recently some have chosen to not hide this fact, and have celebrated it openly, fanning the fires of fear in order to seek power for themselves.
Mr. Speaker, these leaders are cowards. They are bullies, and their behavior is unacceptable. This kind of behaviour has no place in the schoolyard or in the outside world, Mr. Speaker. Canadians and Northerners demand better from those who choose to lead, and I am proud to say that we in this House conduct ourselves with respect and decorum due to the honour bestowed upon us by our constituents.
Mr. Speaker, today, on February 22nd, we are encouraged to practice kindness, to demonstrate that we will not stand by and let others disparage the most vulnerable in our society. My thoughts fall with the LGBTQ community, Muslims, women, and all those who feel unsure or unsafe in the current climate of political discussion in this world. I say to all of them, this is not the norm, and most of us are decent, positive, and highly uncomfortable with these types of bullying and will always rise to speak against it.
Mr. Speaker, this atmosphere of intimidation must end. Let us declare today here and now that Northern leaders will be the type of role models that the whole world deserves. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.