Hon. Andrew Cardozo: Honourable senators, it is a great pleasure to recognize the important work of two former premiers who have served Canada with great distinction: Premier Jean Charest and Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Mr. McGuinty was Premier of Ontario from 2003 until 2013, and Mr. Charest was Premier of Quebec from 2003 to 2012. Mr. Charest also played senior roles in the federal Progressive Conservative Party and the Conservative Party before and after being premier. It seems like Premier McGuinty had a more direct career path.

There is a great deal one could say about them, but I want to touch on two important developments. First, it’s the Council of the Federation that was proposed by Premier Charest and in which Premier McGuinty played an active role.

Established in 2003, the council enables premiers and governments to work collaboratively to strengthen the Canadian federation by fostering a constructive relationship among the provinces and territories and with the Government of Canada.

The other development was the protocol for cooperation to build a stronger Ontario and Quebec, signed between the two premiers in June 2006, which was comprised of eight distinct agreements that included sustainable development, forest protection, health care and labour mobility. A noteworthy development within this spirit of cooperation was the joint cabinet meetings, one of which was attended by our colleague Senator Clément Gignac when he was a minister in Quebec.

As premiers, the list of accomplishments is long, but I would like to mention a few things about each one. Premier McGuinty actively attacked the health and education deficits in his province, and he was often called the education premier or, on good days, “Premier Dad.” His environmental policies included the ambitious phasing out of coal power generation.

Premier Charest’s economic policies included the Plan Nord. He had ambitious environmental goals, but he is certainly renowned for his passionate defence of a strong Quebec and Canadian unity.

It is my pleasure to thank them for their service to Canada to date and for working together for the betterment of their citizens and their whole country. Politics today is often driven by dividing and blaming, but we have much to learn from them about working together.

Colleagues, Premier McGuinty and Premier Charest have served their provinces and this country with distinction.

Thank you so much for your leadership and service.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.