Mauril Bélanger takes Parliament seriously. Representing Ottawa-Vanier in the House of Commons for 21 years, he’s mentored MPs, helped organize an annual party for parliamentary administrative staff and worked with African parliamentarians to bolster democracy on the continent. It’s a job he’s continuing despite being diagnosed last fall with a disease that within a few years could kill him. For that, and for his years of public service, he’s received a wave of support from parliamentarians of all stripes and an unprecedented honour.