Hon. Judy A. White: Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to our colleague Senator Raymonde Saint-Germain.

[English]

You may be surprised to hear me try to speak a few words in French today, but I do so with the utmost respect for our colleague and friend Senator Saint-Germain.

One of the things I’ve most enjoyed about working with Raymonde has been our conversations about the French language. She always encouraged me to try a few words and phrases, even when I was content to rely exclusively on my most favourite French word enchantée. I suspect there were moments when she was a little exasperated by my limited French vocabulary and probably more so by my determination to keep using the same expression enchantée, even when it wasn’t applicable. But she never let it show. Instead, she responded with patience, kindness and good humour, whether explaining the proper use of bonne nuit or gently expanding my French horizons beyond enchantée.

These moments of learning and much laughter — at my own expense, I might add — were always a highlight, and they are memories I will cherish forever.

For those of you who may not know, enchantée means delighted, pleased or simply, “I’m very happy to meet you,” and I think it is a rather fitting word for Raymonde. She has a way of making people feel welcome and at ease. That same quality has been evident throughout her long career in public service and, of course, her years here with us in the Senate.

Raymonde comes to her retirement with quite an impressive record, with a long career in public service, including as the Quebec Public Protector — that sounds so impressive — and as a deputy minister. She has brought that experience to the Senate since 2016 through her committee work, her leadership within her group and her many parliamentary and interparliamentary responsibilities. I think it is fair to say that Raymonde has never been someone to sit quietly on the sidelines.

I am sure her family will be enchantée to have a little more of her now that she is leaving this chamber. On behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, Raymonde, it has been a pleasure to work alongside you, and I wish you all the best in the next chapter.

[Translation]

I wish you continued success, Raymonde. Most of all, I am delighted to have been your colleague.

Thank you.