The House met at 2:15 p.m.
Prayers.
DEATH OF JOHN P. ROBARTS
Hon. Mr. Davis: Mr. Speaker, the very tragic passing of John Robarts is truly a sad moment for our province and our country. He was a man and a leader of courage and great conviction. He had a sense of this province and of this country that few could duplicate. He really felt at home with all Ontarians and for him all Ontario was his home.
He led this province through many challenges of growth and expansion. He was part of much of the framework of some of the institutions and social programs that we as Ontarians enjoy today. He was a great force within our own political party, a man who always believed that good government was good politics.
I think a lot of Ontarians and Canadians will remember him as a man who spoke for our province within the context of Canada with a vision that was balanced with understanding and tolerance. Canadians in our sister province of Quebec will remember him in particular as a man who worked with former Premiers Lesage and Johnson to build bridges of understanding and co-operation between those two great provinces of Canada.
Ontarians will always remember John Robarts as a man they could trust, as a man whose word was his bond, whose leadership reflected his commitment to fairness and whose personal style was one of the neighbour you liked and the friend you trusted.
His passing today was all the more tragic since, as recently as a few nights ago, some of us saw him making what we thought was such great progress in spite of the massive stroke he had some months ago. He put up a fight with tremendous energy, both emotional and physical, and he did that every day and every hour of his life.
We mourn the passing of John Robarts, and I do it in a very personal sense, as he was a great help to me. He gave me great sustenance when I was a minister under his direction, and he shared with me some of his advice and views when I assumed responsibility as Premier of this province.
He was a unique person who loved life, who had fun in what he did, a person who through example set certain guidelines that others have tried to emulate. In my view he represents a certain part of history in this province, and I think historians will not only treat that sense of history with respect but also with a very real sense of value.
2:20 p.m.
It is not customary, but I know the members opposite will understand if I express in a very personal way on behalf of Kathleen, who was a friend of John's, her sympathies to the members of the family.
On behalf of the government and the people of this province I express our profound sense of loss, but also on this occasion a sense of gratitude for his years of service and commitment. If I may, on behalf of Canadians in many parts of this country I take the liberty of expressing our sorrow at the passing of a truly great citizen for whom the unity and survival of this nation were always the highest priority.
Mr. Peterson: John Robarts and Ontario: for me the two are and always will be indivisible, Mr. Speaker. I have no doubt that this is true for thousands of Ontarians who today mourn the death of this great man.
My first memories of Mr. Robarts go back to my youth in London. I remember him first and foremost as a man of warmth, friendliness and humour, a big man in every sense of the word; a man of stature and importance, yet one who had time to recognize and acknowledge a young man like myself, the son of his opponent in the game of politics.
It was in 1955 that my father ran against John Robarts in the riding which I now hold and, of course, John Robarts defeated my father. As a young man I was passionately devoted to my father's cause, but it was impossible for me not to respect and admire the man who had carried off the prize which my father had tried so hard to achieve.
Since that occasion, I have got to know Mr. Robarts on many occasions, sometimes working with him. Sometimes our interests coincided and sometimes they were diametrically opposed but, regardless of the circumstances, my respect, admiration and, indeed, affection for the man never wavered. He was frequently my antagonist but never my enemy.
I believe that statement would be endorsed by the majority of opposition members, the members of my party now and those who served before and who had the good fortune of being in the Ontario Legislature then.
All of us will have personal recollections, things that mean a great deal to them personally, that symbolized what John Robarts was. One of the instances I remember so well was a testimonial dinner for John White in 1976. It was just after the provincial election in which three Liberal members were returned from the London area.
I remember there was a large Conservative gathering and a lot of jokes at everyone's expense, particularly that of the new members. But when John Robarts took the podium that night, in just two or three words he changed the tone completely. He elevated it, as he did frequently. He always had that capacity to elevate the tone of whatever group he was in. I will remember that evening as long as I live.
As leader of the official opposition, I would like to pay tribute to John Robarts for the manner in which he recognized the importance of good government and an effective opposition. This recognition went beyond mere words and empty gestures for it was under his aegis that the opposition was granted increased funding and support. In this, as in so many other instances, while he was of course partisan in his politics, he was always concerned with the importance of the democratic process.
John Robarts will go down in history as the Premier of Premiers, as a man who raised to quite a remarkable degree the politics of provincial premiership from the parochial to the statesmanlike. His contribution to the success of the Confederation of Tomorrow Conference is legendary.
Possibly his most lasting contribution to this province and to this great nation was the development of a closer liaison between Ontario and Quebec -- his courageous and dedicated attempts to bridge the differences between Canada's two founding peoples.
We owe it to his memory to continue that high endeavour, to reinforce that bridge, thus strengthening the bonds of Confederation which are so vital to this nation's future and to Mr. Robarts's memory.
While he was a statesman and a politician, he was someone who had very strong roots in London, Ontario, and he never forgot his constituents. Indeed, I honestly do not believe I have ever met a person in my life who had so many friends, or who was liked by more people and earned the undying loyalty and friendship of so many people from so many walks of life, regardless of political persuasion.
John Robarts's death diminishes us all. He will not be forgotten. For years, he has been a great part of all of our lives -- respected, admired, emulated and, in short, loved. In the words of Rudyard Kipling, "He could walk with kings without losing the common touch."
As it is for the Premier (Mr. Davis), it is particularly personal for me. Mr. Robarts was a very good friend of my in-laws -- my wife, her sisters, her brother and her father and mother -- and so it is beyond political. For me, it is a very deep personal loss.
Mr. Martel: Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the New Democratic Party, I want to join the Premier and the leader of the official opposition in paying tribute to our deceased friend.
I well recall my first encounter with John Robarts in the 1967 election, which became known as the "checklist" campaign when everything was done. I recall the first occasion when, with trepidation, I spoke in this Legislature. Mr. Robarts listened to every new member and not only did he listen but he found time to befriend every new member in the Legislature regardless of his or her political affiliation.
Consequently, he commanded the respect of all members and I think this was reflected in the decorum of the Legislature when he was present. The House could be in bedlam, but once John Robarts took his seat, the tenor changed totally and business proceeded in a much more orderly fashion. He was obviously chairman of the board.
To a newcomer it was obvious that he loved the legislative process, the cut and thrust of debate, but he still had the ability to rise above partisan politics and be friendly and compassionate to all. Is it any wonder that with these attributes he was able to show great concern for the youth of this province and for human rights?
He demonstrated a great concern for Canadian unity. This concern was reflected in his efforts on the Confederation of Tomorrow Conference and also in his role, after leaving Queen's Park, as co-chairman of the Task Force on Canadian Unity.
He spoke frequently to me about his favourite pastime. Sometimes here in the Legislature and sometimes upstairs in the press gallery lounge, we exchanged fishing tales and we talked about the big ones that got away. He showed a great sense of humour. I personally cherish the memories of those occasions.
I last spoke to Mr. Robarts at another sad occasion -- the funeral of James Auld -- and I asked the former Premier if he was writing his memoirs. He said he had no time for that. He said, "I live for the present and for the future." I believe the attitude he reflected then gives us the legacy of achievements that he leaves behind and that we have to continue to build on.
He was, in short, a man of great warmth, rough humour, compassion and energy, who provided leadership not only for this province but also for Canada. Even those of us who did not share his political affiliation always had the greatest respect and affection for him.
On behalf of the New Democratic Party, I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the members of the Robarts family.
Hon. Mr. Wells: Mr. Speaker, I would now like to move a motion, and I would like to suggest that perhaps the way we can assent to this motion is that after I move it you can ask for a minute's silence before officially adjourning the House.
Mr. Speaker: Hon. Mr. Wells moves that out of respect for the memory of the Honourable John P. Robarts this House stand adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m.
In respect for the memory of the former Premier, I would ask the House to join with me in standing to observe a minute's silence.
The House observed one minute's silence.
Mr. Speaker: I would ask all members to resume their places, please.
It has been moved by Mr. Wells that the House adjourn. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?
Motion agreed to.
The House adjourned at 2:33 p.m.