Hon. Katherine Hay: Honourable senators and distinguished guests, today we are joined by a woman whose story is not only remarkable but also revolutionary, brave and inspiring. Dr. Samra Zafar is a living testament to the power of resilience, the strength of the human spirit and the promise of Canada.

This is her journey: from a forced marriage as a young teenager in Pakistan to arriving in Canada being married and trapped, to becoming a teenage mother with no outside support whatsoever — enduring years of domestic abuse — to knowing that she had dreams, thereby asking why she, too, could not live her dreams. Determined to have her own future, she secretly saved money — loonies and toonies at a time — pursued her high school diploma while raising two daughters and then graduated from university with the top honour: 1 in 60,000 students at the University of Toronto.

She did not stop there. She completed her master’s degree and then decided in 2020 to pursue medicine. Today, she is a resident psychiatrist, a globally recognized speaker and a passionate educator, using her story to uplift others and spark change.

Her bestselling book entitled A Good Wife: Escaping the Life I Never Chose and her latest book entitled Unconditional: Break Through Past Limits to Transform Your Future chronicle this transformation with raw honesty and emotional depth. Samra shares not just the pain she endured but also the strength she discovered, offering us all a road map to healing and empowerment.

In Canada, Samra found not just belonging but also purpose and her dreams lived.

This country’s commitment to human rights, inclusion, immigration and opportunity gave her the space to rise, and she used that platform to lift others with her. She speaks boldly on mental health, authentic leadership and equity across Canada and globally. Through her advocacy and storytelling, Dr. Zafar empowers women and all people to break through barriers and find their dreams. She reminds us that lived expertise needs to have a voice at every table, every committee, every study and every piece of legislation that we deliver in the Senate.

My friend Dr. Samra Zafar is more than a hero. She reflects the best of what Canada can and should be — a place where courage is cultivated, voices are amplified and every person, whatever their path may be, can write their own story. Let us celebrate her journey, honour her contributions and continue to build a Canada where every Samra has a chance to rise.

Thank you. Meegwetch.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.