Plenary, 21 Jan 2009
Meeting date: Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Official Report
409KB pdf
Time for Reflection
When I led the parliamentary delegation to the United States of America and Canada during Scotland week last year, we received an incredibly warm welcome in Ontario. The recent Commonwealth Parliamentary Association delegation was similarly treated. It is therefore an even greater pleasure than usual to introduce our time for reflection leader, who is the hon Steve Peters, the speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
The hon Steve Peters (Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario):
On behalf of the members and staff of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, I extend greetings and best wishes to the Scottish Parliament. I congratulate you as you celebrate the Parliament's 10th anniversary. I am also very much enjoying the opportunity to join you as you celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robbie Burns.
The province of Ontario has had a long and lasting friendship with the people of Scotland. At this moment, 17.5 per cent of the people of Ontario—1.8 million citizens—list their ethnic origin as Scottish.
As a member of provincial Parliament in the province of Ontario, I represent the large and diverse riding of Elgin-Middlesex-London. The county of Elgin was established in 1852, 15 years before the confederation of our country and the formation of Canada. Elgin County is proudly named after James Bruce, the eighth Earl of Elgin.
Our county has welcomed thousands of Scottish immigrants since the early 19th century. The period from 1816 to 1830 witnessed a tremendous influx of new settlers who were eager to begin a new life for themselves and their families. When Nelly Campbell arrived in 1818, she became the first white woman to set foot on Canadian soil at Port Glasgow. Cnoc Neallaidh—Nelly's hill—was the Plymouth rock for generations of new settlers.
In his book "The Scotch", the world-renowned economist John Kenneth Galbraith speaks of the area in which he was raised:
"Not even in the Western Isles are the Scotch to be found in more concentrated solutions. Beginning at the Currie Road were first the McPhails and Grahams, then more Grahams, the McKellars, the McFarlanes, Camerons, Morrisons, Gows, Galbraiths, McCallums, more McPhails, more Morrisons, Pattersons and among others the McLeods."
Presiding Officer, you will find my next comment interesting. On Ferguson Line in Central Elgin today, one can find 10 Ferguson families living and farming along a 2km stretch of road.
Generations removed from the first settlers, the Scottish people have made a significant contribution to the heritage and vitality of Elgin County. Today, strong ties remain between the Scots of Elgin and their families here in Scotland.
I ask that God grant you, the members, a strong and abiding sense of the great responsibilities that are laid on you. May you be directed to have a deep and thorough understanding of the needs of the people whom you serve; the strength to use wisely the power that is granted to you; and the inspiration to make decisions that maintain a land of prosperity and righteousness.
I thank the Presiding Officer for the opportunity to address the Parliament today. I look forward to a renewed relationship between our two Parliaments. I extend a warm welcome to each of you to return to Canada or to visit for the first time. I would love to welcome you to our legislature. Thank you, Presiding Officer.