Honourable senators, before I give my statement, I would like to also take an opportunity to welcome the seven new senators into our chamber.

Senator Harder, you and I have worked over many years, many times on different sides. This time, I look forward to working with you on the same side.

I also would like to take the opportunity to welcome Senators Omidvar, Gagné, Sinclair, Pratte, Lankin and Petitclerc. This is going to be an amazing journey for you. We welcome you, and we will take this journey with you.

Honourable senators, I know that I am a little late in giving my speech on Senator Chaput, but I would nevertheless like to share my appreciation of my friend Senator Chaput.

I am very proud to pay tribute to a friend and a woman of integrity who loves this country's culture and languages: Senator Maria Chaput.

I would like to begin my speech by thanking you. Thank you for your dedication, your respect for others, the trust you placed in me and, above all, your friendship. You have been an inspiration and a role model. You grasped the role of the Senate, which is, above all, to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

I would like to share Senator Chaput's views on this role, which were published in a Manitoba newspaper:

We must remember the purpose of the Senate: it is a chamber of Parliament that provides better representation of Canada's regions and minorities. After all, it is the Senate that enables each region to have a more equitable number of seats. It is also the Senate that better represents women, indigenous peoples and minority groups.

Having grasped the importance of this role, you were the voice of francophones outside Quebec. You instilled in us your pride in the French language and made us understand the importance of linguistic minorities across Canada.

As time passed and we worked together on various committees, we became friends. To my mind, you were like a big sister. I learned a great deal from you, and you made me understand the importance of properly defending our point of view.

We did not always see things the same way, but you would convince me that you were right. Why?

It was because the cause was close to your heart.

You guided me and advised me on a number of subjects and issues during my years in the Senate, and I am very grateful to you for that.

Senator Chaput, your departure from this chamber leaves a big void and you will be missed, but please know that the work you have done in recent years will continue to have an impact on Canadians.

We will miss you, my friend.