Order. I think everyone saw the white smoke.
A number of members have asked me how I could keep my seat for 35 years in a row through 11 elections. I have three little pieces of advice.
First, you need to be able to manage your frustrations, because politics is one frustration after another. You will come to know this, especially the new members.
Second, I would say that you must be prepared and speak intelligently. I would like to share a story. In the first month after my arrival in 1984, I made three statements, two of which contradicted my party's platform. At my first caucus meeting, an old senator told me that he wanted to talk to me. I say “old”, but I would not consider him very old today. He brought me to his office and asked if I wanted to stay in politics for a long time. I told him yes. He told me to look at the wall, where a magnificent stuffed fish was mounted. He told me that had the fish kept its mouth shut, it would still be alive.
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
The Presiding Officer (Mr. Louis Plamondon): He added that it was pretty much the same in politics.
The third thing I would like to say is that you should get into politics because you like to serve, because you like your constituents and because you are dedicated. Never get into politics for recognition. If you are looking for recognition, you would be better off getting a nice dog.
It is my duty to inform the House that a Speaker of this House has been duly elected. It is with great pleasure that I do now invite the hon. member for the electoral district of Nipissing—Timiskaming to take the chair.
Some hon. members: Hear, hear!
(The Presiding Officer having vacated the chair, and the mace having been laid under the table, the right hon. Prime Minister and the hon. Leader of the Opposition conducted Mr. Anthony Rota from his seat in the House to the chair)