THE SENATE — Speaker pro tempore of the Senate
Candidates' Remarks
December 7, 2021
Honourable senators, I speak from the unceded territory of the Algonquin and Anishinaabe.
Thank you for the opportunity to talk about my candidacy for the position of Speaker pro tempore of the Senate. My regards to my colleague, Senator Ringuette.
In this place, we debate, discuss and make decisions about all kinds of issues, concerns and rights. A respectful environment conducive to balancing multiple perspectives and points of view is crucial to that process.
The Speaker pro tempore is responsible for ensuring that sense of respect and fairness in the deliberations of this house while always protecting and promoting the fundamental equality of all senators.
Collaboration among us, among all our groups, is also essential to a functional modern Senate.
You know that my interests, like our debates, are multidimensional. They are not only about arts and culture, but include the important voices of all Canadians garnered from my travels to every part of this country. They embrace the interconnected concerns of the Arctic, reconciliation, Black Lives Matter and the economic, living and health concerns of all residents of Canada.
As most of you know, I acted as pro tempore for two years. I have sponsored both government and Senate public bills, and through my work as deputy chair and a steering committee member of a number of committees, you have seen my understanding of this chamber’s roles, rules and procedures.
Embodying and following the Rules as I do and have done, defending them as pro tempore in the Senate with fairness, integrity and impartiality, building trust is paramount. Those principles comprise my mantra for this office and for all my Senate responsibilities.
These five years with you as a member of this chamber, honouring its roles on behalf of all Canadians, have been impactful. It would be a privilege to serve the Senate as Speaker pro tempore, and the role would draw from all my Senate experiences and my pre-Senate, five-decade career of cultural and educational leadership and policy development in British Columbia, Manitoba, throughout Western Canada and from serving national institutions — those in Quebec and our country internationally.
I promise to serve with diligence and dignity, engagement and substance.
Thank you, meegwetch.
Honourable senators, I rise today to seek your support in my bid to become Speaker pro tempore for this first session of our Forty-fourth Parliament.
As I indicated to you last week, I am interested in guiding our deliberations, when our Speaker is absent, and sharing my experience, skills and knowledge with you.
This week marks my nineteenth year as a senator, and I have white hair to show it. Of course, during all those years, I have witnessed and participated in vigorous debates leading to votes. I have always done so with respect for senators expressing different perspectives which, I believe, enrich us all.
Our world, our country and the Senate of Canada have had to adjust to the reality of COVID-19 in early 2020. Our hybrid sittings, including Committees of the Whole, enabled us to fulfill our mandate, and I was honoured to serve as Speaker pro tempore to ensure robust and respectful debates. To do so, one certainly needs to know the Rules, the required decorum and many more subtleties that a seasoned parliamentarian ascertains so that our deliberations are respectful, fair and impartial.
Honourable senators, this is the seasoned perspective I am able to offer as Speaker pro tempore.
Honourable senators, in addition to my 19 years in the Senate, my personal experience as Deputy Speaker of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly and as Assistant Deputy Speaker in the House of Commons taught me to treat everyone with respect, fairness and impartiality.
The success of our efforts also depends on the ability of the Chair to oversee our sometimes contentious debates. Each of us brings our own values and ideals to the Senate, which enriches our work. However, we all share the same goal of maintaining rigour and reinvigorating the Senate of Canada for the well-being of Canadians.
Honourable senators, I was honoured to serve as your Speaker pro tempore following our first process, and I welcome this second election process for our Speaker pro tempore. It is another step in our journey to modernize the Senate and signals that this is not a static institution.
In my perspective, everyone wins in a democratic process — those that vote and those that put their name forward. I want to thank Senator Bovey for being a candidate and, as always, I wish her well.
I hope I can count on your support. Thank you.
Honourable senators, the Clerk will distribute information shortly about how to vote, and you will be able to vote until 6 p.m. tomorrow. The information will be sent to the Senate email address that you use to access Zoom for sittings of the Senate or a committee meeting. As there are only two candidates, senators will be asked to select only one.
We will now proceed with Senators’ Statements for the 12 minutes remaining.