Hon. Rodger Cuzner: Honourable senators, when we think of the great bounty of natural resources that we celebrate as Canadians, our thoughts might turn to mining and minerals, our spectacular landscapes or our vast forests.
In my comments today, I want to recognize a different type of natural resource: our songwriters. Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Gordon Lightfoot — to name a few — are all Canadian songwriters who have made an indelible mark on the world.
One star in particular, who has been referred to recently in this chamber, has shone brightly because of his innate ability to hold the mirror up to the Canadian experience. Gord Downie, the lead singer of The Tragically Hip, passed away seven years ago last week. He and his band of brothers, Rob Baker, Gord Sinclair, Johnny Fay and Paul Langlois, reminded us that the history of our country was worth singing about — both the good moments and the bad. Senators, if there is a goal that we all remember, Gord sang, “. . . it was back in ol’ 72 . . . .” It’s definitely a great moment.
Through his words, we witnessed the “Sundown in the Paris of the prairies . . . .” And, of course, we drove with him on the corduroy road at the hundredth meridian where the great plains begin.
His spirit has been felt within the walls of this chamber, as many of you, colleagues, have stood and spoke passionately about our obligations to Indigenous peoples. In his final years, Gord devoted much of his time to this cause: justice, healing and reconciliation.
In his book and album Secret Path, he seized on the tragic story of Chanie Wenjack, the young Anishinaabe boy from Marten Falls First Nation, who died trying to return home after escaping from residential school. But the recent interventions in this chamber on the topic of the miscarriage of justice are what moved me to speak today. I commend Senator Arnot, Senator Dalphond, Senator Pate and Senator Batters for their thoroughly researched, meticulously documented and passionately argued cases on the subject. We know about the vast squandering of human capital and life-altering hurt brought upon Canadians who lost huge portions of their lives because of wrongful convictions.
The genius of Gord Downie is that he could take these convincing paragraphs and pages, articulated by my learned colleagues, and condense them into a single, relatable, heartfelt line, like he did with David Milgaard: “He’s 38 years old, never kissed a girl.” It’s brilliant.
Honourable senators, Gord Downie entertained us, inspired us and challenged us. He believed in this country and in the good of all Canadians. In his memory, let us commit to going about our duties as Gord did, with skill, courage and grace too. I encourage all senators to check out the recently released documentary entitled The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, now streaming worldwide on Amazon Prime. It’s an instant classic.
Thank you.