Hon. Brian Francis: Honourable senators, I rise today on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group to pay tribute to the Honourable Paul Massicotte, a former seatmate of mine, who retired from the Senate this past September, on his seventy-fourth birthday.
As we have heard, Senator Massicotte served in this place for over 20 years and has certainly left his mark on our institution. Having been a long-time member of both the Banking Committee and the Energy Committee, it’s no wonder that his work often focused on the economy, the environment and how these issues intersect.
As we heard, Senate modernization was also an important subject for Senator Massicotte. It was one he pursued from a truly bipartisan angle as a then-Liberal working together with then-Conservative Senator Greene. Though it may have seemed an unlikely pairing, the work achieved by this duo is truly to be commended.
In 2015, they circulated a questionnaire to all honourable senators to solicit feedback on ideas for Senate reform, hosted informal meetings to foster dialogue and, ultimately, served as two of the first witnesses before the Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization. Senators Massicotte and Greene did not simply speak about the modernization of this institution — they took concrete steps to implement changes. I commend them for this important legacy.
I’ll conclude by sharing a quote from Senator Massicotte’s first speech in the Senate on the motion to adopt the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne. Though delivered over 20 years ago, the topics he covered and advice he offered are still very much relevant today. He said:
Honourable senators, I consider myself somewhat privileged to have been born in this vast and rich land. I count myself fortunate to be able to live in a country so supportive of tolerance and social justice, a prime example of diversity and multiculturalism to the world.
Like most of you, I did not choose this country. I inherited it. I will keep my shoulder to the wheel so that our children and grandchildren can continue to shape the marvellous work in progress that is Canada.
Senator Massicotte, thank you for keeping your shoulder to the wheel. On behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, I wish you a wonderful and well-deserved retirement.
Wela’lin. Thank you.