David Raymond Amos@DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos@alllibertynews and 49 others "Content disabled"
Methinks
Minister Urquhart and his many cohorts must recall he and Thompson
having me falsely arrested by the RCMP in July of 2008 Its a matter of
public record in Federal Court N'esy Pas?
Greg
Thompson was appointed New Brunswick minister of intergovernmental
affairs on Nov. 9, 2018, after winning the Saint Croix riding for the
Progressive Conservatives. (CBC)
Politicians from all parties and former colleagues paid tribute
Wednesday morning to Greg Thompson, a six-term federal MP who came out
of retirement last year to become a provincial MLA and cabinet minister.
Thompson died of cancer Tuesday at the age of 72. He had been absent from the New Brunswick Legislature earlier this year.
Thompson,
a former teacher and businessman, was elected federally six times in
the southwest corner of New Brunswick, eventually serving as minister of
veterans affairs in the Conservative government of Prime Minister
Stephen Harper.
Former
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney called Thompson "a real guy" who
represented his constituents well after being elected to the House of
Commons in 1988.
"I can still see him now in my mind's eye,"
Mulroney said. "He did it in a very respectful and nice manner. He
wasn't aggressive or bullying or anything like that. He was the
opposite. He was a gentleman."
Returned to politics last year
Thompson
retired as MP for New Brunswick Southwest in 2011, but he returned to
politics when he ran provincially last year for the Progressive
Conservatives, defeating Liberal incumbent John Ames in Saint Croix.
He was named intergovernmental affairs minister in Premier Blaine Higgs's cabinet.
"He
felt, and he was right, that he could bring a lot to our government
because he had such depth,"
Higgs told reporters, praising Thompson's
"quiet demeanour, determination to get things done, and not to give up."
The
premier said that Thompson appeared to be on the mend about a month
ago, but two weeks later his health took a turn for the worse.
Thompson
was first elected in the riding of Carleton-Charlotte in 1988, helping
Mulroney win a second majority government and ensure passage of the
free-trade agreement with the United States.
Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney called Thompson 'a real guy' who represented his constituents well. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)
Mulroney said Thompson's riding on the Canada-U.S. border made him an effective campaigner for the agreement.
"He
certainly was aware, perhaps more than some others, of the enormous
benefits that free trade could bring to Atlantic Canada."
New
Brunswick Justice Minister Andrea Anderson-Mason said she met Thompson
as a 12-year-old girl when he came to her family's door during that
campaign.
"He's the reason why I am in government today," she
said. "I immediately fell in love with politics and government … He was
absolutely loved and was one of a kind. They just don't make them like
that anymore. He's been my hero, and will continue to be."
Thompson lost in the 1993 election, a vote that saw all but two Progressive Conservative candidates defeated.
But after facing and beating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, he made a comeback in 1997, one of 20 PC MPs elected that June.
Greg
Thompson, who died this week at 72, served as veterans affairs minister
for four years under former prime minister Stephen Harper. (Submitted by Government of New Brunswick)
"It
was a poetic moment for me because it was a return for him but also the
return of the Progressive Conservative party of Canada," said Jean
Charest, who led the party in that election.
He said Thompson's previous experience was an asset for a small PC caucus made up mostly of political newcomers.
"We're
losing someone of substance and someone who made an outstanding
contribution to Canada and to New Brunswick," Charest said.
Greg Thompson was a fair & kind man and a passionate advocate for his community, province, and country – I was sorry to hear of his passing this morning. My heart goes out to his loved ones.
Former MP John Herron, one of the young PCs elected that year, said Thompson's help was "indispensable" to the rookies.
Thompson
held onto the seat in four more elections, as a Progressive
Conservative and then as part of the newly merged Conservative Party. He
was veterans affairs minister from 2006 to 2010.
I was saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, Greg Thompson. Greg was a tremendous public servant and an exceptional colleague. Laureen and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Linda, their family and colleagues in New Brunswick.
"Greg was a tremendous public servant and an exceptional colleague," Harper said in a tweet.
Opponents pay tribute
Many of Thompson's political opponents also paid tribute to him on Wednesday.
Shortly before visiting the Governor General to call an
election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that Thompson was "a
fair & kind man and a passionate advocate for his community,
province, and country. I was sorry to hear of his passing this morning."
"Greg
was passionate about public service, and was always fair and kind,"
said Beauséjour Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc in a tweet.
New
Brunswick Green Party Leader David Coon, a former resident of Waweig,
said Thompson had been his MP for most of the Tory's tenure in Ottawa.
Sad to hear of the passing of Greg Thompson, who served with me for 15 years in the House of Commons and as my counterpart in the Government of N.B. Greg was passionate about public service, and was always fair and kind. My condolences to his family, friends, and close ones.
"He was highly respected and well-liked
by his constituents, no matter their political leanings," Coon said in a
statement. "It is a sad day for the people of Charlotte County and for
all who knew Greg, personally and professionally."
People's
Alliance Leader Kris Austin called Thompson "a great man. … He
diligently worked for the betterment of his community, this province and
the nation serving with dignity and honour throughout his lengthy
career."
A book of condolence has been set up at the New
Brunswick Legislature, and the provincial flag is at half-mast at
government buildings.
A book of condolences for Greg Thompson has been set up at the New Brunswick Legislature. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Thompson's
death reduces the PC minority government's standing in the legislature
to 21 seats out of 49, but the Tories won't be at any greater risk of
being defeated on votes.
That's because former premier Brian
Gallant announced last week he'll be resigning as MLA for Shediac
Bay-Dieppe in the coming weeks, dropping his party to 19 seats,
excluding Speaker Daniel Guitard.
Higgs will have six months to
call byelections once the seats are officially declared vacant. He said
he'll probably call them simultaneously but said he hasn't given much
thought to when he'll do that.
Higgs also said he'll take on Thompson's role as minister of intergovernmental affairs for the time being.
Jacques
Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick
since 2000. Raised in Moncton, he also produces the CBC political
podcast Spin Reduxit.
37 Comments Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Raymond Amos Methinks
now would be a good time for the lawyer Brian Gallant to change his
mind for the benefit of his party and keep his seat for awhile longer
N'esy Pas?
Marguerite
Deschamps
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: the seat is very safe!
Dianne MacPherson
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps:
Surely you can't mean that Vickers is running there !!!
Marguerite
Deschamps
Reply to @Dianne MacPherson: if Vickers runs there, he wins.
Dianne MacPherson
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps:
Oh.....that's all you meant.
Marguerite
Deschamps
Reply to @Dianne MacPherson: no CONservative has a hope in hell to be elected there with the elusive Higgs Bozon at the helm.
Derrick Cameron
Reply to @Marguerite
Deschamps: That would be more true of Trudeau's chances of getting
another full house in Atlantic Canada. He has ignored the region during
the past 4 years.
Dianne MacPherson
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps:
We do have other Political Parties to choose
from, you know.
Sadly they don't have the financial 'smarts'
of Premier Higgs !!!!
Marguerite
Deschamps
Reply to @Dianne MacPherson: and which parties would that be?
Lewis Taylor
Reply to @David Raymond Amos:
you think this is appropriate?
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Marguerite
Deschamps: "the seat is very safe!" Hence methinks Mr Higgs will delay a
by election just like your SANB lawyer buddy Bernie Lord did not that
long ago. Remember when he gave another SANB lawyer Bernie Richard a do
nothing job as Ombudsman with big pay cheque and kept the seat vacate
for as long as possible only to see Boudreau win it? So he tried the
same trick with the lawyer Lizzy Weir and Ed Doherty won Saint John
Harbour. Go figure why Lord lost the General Election in 2006 and why I
ran in it for reasons you will never admit to N'esy Pas?
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Dianne
MacPherson: Methinks everybody knows why Gallant got the golden
handshake and why I would run against Vickers just for fun N'esy Pas?
Marguerite
Deschamps
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: why would we know that? You should know!
David Raymond Amos
Content disabled
Methinks Minister
Urquhart and his many cohorts must recall he and Thompson having me
falsely arrested by the RCMP in July of 2008 Its a matter of public
record in Federal Court N'esy Pas?
Johnny Jakobs
Content disabled
Reply to @David
Raymond Amos: methinks there is a time and place for everything. Now is
not the time. Respect is earned. Start earning N'esy Pas?
Ben Haroldson He
was one of the few politicians who visited our house, and truly wanted
to know what concerned you. Condolences to the family.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: Methinks just because he died does not follow that he should be remembered as a nice guy N'esy Pas?
David Raymond Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @David
Raymond Amos: BTW I spent all day yesterday in an Emergency Ward I
thought it may me my last day but to the chagrin of many corrupt public
officials, lawyers and cops clearly it was not.
Bruce Ellington
Reply to @David
Raymond Amos: Methinks if you have nothing good to say about someone who
just died, you should try, for once, keeping your opinion to yourself,
like a nice guy would.
Lewis Taylor
Reply to @David Raymond Amos:
Except that he was a nice guy and you a nutbar.
Stephen
Robertson I
had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Thompson on several occasions while he
was at different stages of his political life. He was always a common
person with a deep concern for the people of our province and our
nation. My deepest sympathy to his family. Rest well faithful servant.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Stephen
Robertson:I know for fact that he did not have a deep concern for the
people of our province and our nation and everybody know that I can
easily prove it.
Johnny Jakobs
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: buy selling a house before a quarry was built next door?
That was pure coincidence
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Johnny Jakobs: "Respect is earned. Start earning N'esy Pas?"
Your words not mine
Marguerite
Deschamps I
tip my hat to anyone who runs for politic office. It has to be one of
the most thankless job one can think of. And no matter what anyone says,
the pay is not worth the headaches. Rest in peace, Mr Thompson!
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Marguerite
Deschamps: Methinks that is a very strange thing for you to say after
all the things you have said to me about my running for Public Office
(soon to be for the 7th time) N'esy Pas?
Marguerite
Deschamps
Reply to @David
Raymond Amos: I would pay you the same respect if you happened to kick
the bucket before I do. We will remember you for you "Methinks" and
N'esy pas".
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Doe's he use that in debates? If so , I gotta see it.
Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps:
No he will not be remembered.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Marguerite
Deschamps: Methinks I should inform you that I spent all day yesterday
in an Emergency Ward I thought it may me my last day but obviously to
your chagrin it was not N'esy Pas?
Marguerite
Deschamps
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: not at all David! I wish you health and long life. I really mean it.
Lance DeLeavey
RIP Sir you have served this Province well,you will be missed.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Lance DeLeavey: Not by all
Mac Isaac
Leaving
partisan politics out of it, Mr. Thompson was a gentleman in every
sense of the word...with his loss It's my hope that Premier Higgs will
nominate someone else of Mr. Thompson's calibre to run for his seat,
which brings up former Premier Gallant's open seat in Shediac...schedule
the by-elections for the same day or, practising partisan politics,
schedule one as soon as possible and the other as late as legally
allowable. My sympathies are extended to Mr. Thompson's family.
Greg
Thompson was appointed New Brunswick minister of intergovernmental
affairs on Nov. 9, 2018, after winning the Saint Croix riding for the
Progressive Conservatives. (CBC)
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