Langley-Aldergrove MP Mark Warawa gave an emotional farewell speech to the House of Commons on Tuesday, as the longtime local representative faces a serious cancer diagnosis.
sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 just an average guy that has had an incredible honour, serving with you, and serving our community,sa国际传媒� Warawa said.
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Warawa noted he has recently gotten out of the hospital after 15 days, and joked about his return to the House of Commons.
sa国际传媒淚 had zero interest in politics, since I was in the hospital, possibly facing the end of my life,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淛ust a few minutes here in Parliament, Isa国际传媒檓 interested in politics again.sa国际传媒�
Warawa was recently told cancer from his pancreas has spread into his lungs.
He had already announced he would not be running again for office in this Octobersa国际传媒檚 election, but had planned to step down to become a chaplain, working with seniors and people close to the end of life.
The research he has done on issues such as palliative care will now be put to use in his own life, Warawa said.
Warawa spoke of his own recent experiences at Vancouver General Hospital, after he was rushed home from an overseas trip suffering from jaundice to receive his diagnosis.
When he was given his diagnosis, he had doctors who could treat his physical condition, but people need spiritual and social support, too, Warawa said.
He urged Parliament to take up the cause of repairing what Warawa called a broken system when it comes to palliative care in this country.
While his prognosis is sa国际传媒渘ot great,sa国际传媒� Warawa affirmed his faith in God, and spoke of how he felt God had guided him into his career and life in politics.
He choked up when speaking of his wife Diane, and their five children and 10 grandchildren, as well as the staff at his constituency office in Langley.
sa国际传媒淭he best part of this job, as you know, is being able to help people,sa国际传媒� Warawa said.
He was given several standing ovations during his speech, and after he spoke, MPs from the Conservative benches and across the floor came to speak to him and shake his hand.
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