MP pushed for decorum among parliamentarians
Politician remembered for remarks on need for ‘elevated debate’ in House of Commons
OTTAWA— Scarborough MP Arnold Chan — who used his final speech in Parliament to implore MPs to “elevate” their debate — has died after a battle with cancer.
News of his death was confirmed Thursday, triggering condolences from his fellow MPs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to Facebook to reflect on a visit he had with Chan just a few weeks ago.
“He was still cracking jokes — and insisted on playing piano and making me sing. We laughed and cried that day, and I’ll always cherish that visit and all the times we spent together,” Trudeau wrote.
“Arnold, you have a beautiful family and my thoughts are with your wife Jean and your three sons, Nathaniel, Ethan, and Theodore. They are fine young men, just like their father. Rest in peace my dear friend,” he said.
Condolences poured in from other MPs as well.
“Mourning the passing of not only a great parliamentarian, but a close friend. @ArnoldChanLib, your drive to serve Cdns was ever inspiring,” Navdeep Bains, the minister of innovation, science and economic development, tweeted.
“Devastated by the passing of @ArnoldChanLib. Sending my love to Jean and the boys, family, friends and colleagues. You will be missed,” Liberal MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes said.
Environment Minister Catherine McKenna also took to Twitter to pay tribute. “Devastating. @ArnoldChanLib was the best of the best in politics. He reminded us why what we do matters. Love to his family & all his friends.”
In a Twitter posting to Chan’s wife, Jean Yip, Conservative MP Scott Reid mourned the MP’s passing.
“Jean, I’m truly sorry that Arnold is gone. He was a wonderful colleague and one of the best MPs I’ve ever had the honour to know,” Reid said.
At Queen’s Park, there was an audible gasp from MPPs in all three parties when a visibly upset Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid broke the news in the Legislature that Arnold Chan had died.
Duguid, the Scarborough Centre MPP, asked Speaker Dave Levac if the House could have a moment of silence to remember the well-regarded ScarboroughAgincourt MP.
MPPs on both sides of the chamber immediately agreed and outside, the Canadian flag was immediately lowered to half-mast in his memory.
“He was a breath of fresh air in this business. Always positive, always optimistic, and always full of energy. A real gem,” Duguid told reporters after.
International Trade Minister Michael Chan wept openly in the Legislature as he recalled his friend and former chief of staff.
“Arnold was a great guy. Three weeks ago, he gave me a phone call, and got my family to his house. He told me there’s no more medicine. The doctor advised him that after five doses of trial medicine, they decided he’s no more,” the minister told the hushed chamber.
“He told me, ‘Michael, I’m dying.’ That’s a message from him. You know what . . . life, for everyone, is short, so enjoy it,” he said.
Arnold Chan also worked as a senior aide to former premier Dalton McGuinty and was widely respected at Queen’s Park. “Arnold was a great public servant and he was a genuinely kind person,” Premier Kathleen Wynne said.
“Even as Arnold was facing a terrible health challenge, he worked so hard at his job. He was a brave and remarkable human being who never let his illness overshadow his work.”
The 50-year-old was first elected to the House of Commons in a byelection in 2014. But he was forced to take time off from his political duties in January 2015 for treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer.
Arnold Chan won his Scarborough seat in the October 2015 election.
The MP for Scarborough-Agincourt, struggled this year after the cancer reoccurred. In June, he made an emotional appeal to fellow MPs to elevate their debate and behaviour.
Noting then that he might not have the energy to speak in the Commons again, Arnold Chan implored his political colleagues to rise above petty partisanship. “I know members revere this place, and I would beg us to not only act as honourable members but to treat this institution honourably,” he said.
He praised the conduct of Green party Leader Elizabeth May, saying she set an example that other MPs should follow.
“Despite strongly disagreeing, perhaps, with the position of the government of the day, she does so in a respectful tone. I would ask all of us to elevate our debate, to elevate our practice to that standard,” Arnold Chan said.
“It is only through that practice, which I believe she so eloquently demonstrates, that Canadians will have confidence in this democratic institution that we all hold so dear. It is important that we do that,” he told the Commons in his June12 speech.
He also spoke out against the practice of “canned” talking points, saying such rote speeches undermine public confidence.
“We can disagree strongly, and in fact we should. That is what democracy is about. However, we should not just use the formulaic talking points,” he said.
Finally, he spoke about the importance of what he called basic common civility.
“We have much to be proud of, and I would simply ask us to celebrate this incredible institution. By doing those small acts, we will continue to uphold our Canadian democracy and the values that bind us together,” he said.