Condolence Motion (29 March 2023)

From Hansard (29 March 2023)

 

Passing of Regina MLA Derek Meyers

Hon. Mr. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some great, great stories shared about my friend Derek Meyers today. But I don’t want to be talking about Derek Meyers today. I would far rather be talking with Derek Meyers today.

I want to be talking with him about the latest community events that he’s attended because I don’t think he ever missed one, or be talking with him about our families because he loved talking about Laurie and the kids. I would far rather be listening to him heckle the member from Regina Rosemont right now — I think even that member would prefer it — or talking with him about the Riders or the Oilers, or making a friendly wager on the Warriors versus the Pats. I would like to be talking with Derek about our plans to golf at the Wascana this summer, or hear one of his many stories about Midale and growing up in southern Saskatchewan.

You see, Mr. Speaker, that was the great thing about Derek. You could talk to him about absolutely anything. Didn’t matter if it was oil and gas or the economy, hockey, football, golf, politics, or even men’s fashion. Didn’t matter what the topic was because Derek could speak with ease about anything. He was a smalltown, prairie guy, but he was also big city. He was community. He was business. He was sports. He was family. And I was honoured to call him my friend.

As has been mentioned, we were part of the class of the newly elected in 2020, but Derek always seemed like he had held this job forever. It just came naturally to him, and I respected him and admired him for that.

As has also been mentioned many times, Mr. Speaker, what stood out above all with Derek was his positivity. I mean, here was a guy who had faced more tragedy in his life than I would wish upon my worst enemy, far more than I could have personally endured, and yet he remained positive about everything. He spoke about the loss of his daughter only weeks after her passing. The unbelievable strength it must have taken to do that. And he turned that unthinkable pain into passionate advocacy for mental health and hope for those who may be struggling.

He stood in this Chamber only two weeks ago when he introduced his brother Darcy, and he spoke positively. He wasn’t wearing rose-coloured glasses, Mr. Speaker. He was under no illusion about the reality of his situation. But his words were filled with gratitude and love and hope. I don’t know how he did it, Mr. Speaker, but we in this Assembly should do our best to figure it out, because this world needs a whole lot more of what Derek Meyers had to offer.

My deepest condolences to the family. Your son, your brother, your husband, and your father will be sorely missed but forever remembered. Rest easy, my friend.

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