Statement by the Leader of the Official Opposition on Alexa McDonough’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Today the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians honoured Alexa McDonough with a Lifetime Achievement Award. For my New Democratic colleagues and I, it’s easy to understand just why Alexa merits this honour.

She is a pioneer for women in politics, showing women and girls in Canada that they can take leadership roles in politics. Not only that, but she embodies the determination it takes to overcome the challenges of discrimination as a woman MP.

She brought the federal NDP back to life in the 1997 election, making an historic breakthrough in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. We wouldn’t be where we are today without her hard work and dedication in revitalizing the party in the 1990s. To this day, she represents the momentum of the NDP.

A voice for peace in Canada, she successfully negotiated with the federal government to endorse a ban on cluster bombs and to sign on to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

She speaks from the heart – her passion can be found in her work for Canadians as Leader of the NDP. Truly, she represents what we strive for every day – the tenacity and determination to create a more fair and inclusive Canada.

Thank you, Alexa.