Hon. Andrew Cardozo: Honourable senators, it is my pleasure to join in the tributes to Senator Donna Dasko and to do so on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group.

While I knew her work over many years, I asked to deliver this tribute because I had the good fortune to become good friends during our time together here at the Senate. We have both worked together to advance the issues of an independent Senate, the role of think tanks, a robust news media, democracy and a number of things that Senator Housakos stands against.

I say that in a good spirit, Senator Housakos.

I have always appreciated her collaborative and welcoming style, her vast experience and her evidence-based rigour. I particularly valued working with her on the Transport and Communications Committee, including on the issues of CBC/Radio-Canada and local news.

For the past eight years and four days so far, Senator Dasko has served this country in the Senate and, before that, through her lifetime of listening carefully to Canadians and providing deep sociological expertise to legislative review.

For decades, when Canadians wanted to know what Canada was thinking, they looked to Donna Dasko’s work as the long‑time Senior Vice-President of Environics Research Group Ltd.

In this chamber, as has been mentioned, she has spoken about gender equality in Canada and has been an unyielding champion of women’s rights. She co-founded Equal Voice, which is dedicated to electing more women to all levels of political office in Canada.

Whether pressing for gender-based analysis in budgeting or introducing bills to modernize national statistics or promoting women in Canadian politics, her Senate policy interventions are part of her outstanding legacy for equality.

She cared deeply not only about what the Senate does but about how Canadians understand and trust this institution.

She recently commissioned a public opinion poll, carried out by Nanos Research, which found that 79% of Canadians prefer the independent process of appointments of senators, compared to 5% who wanted to return to the old partisan system — an important last nod to the reform of the last 10 years.

Senator Dasko has used her voice to underscore the importance of defending Ukrainian sovereignty, strengthening Canada’s humanitarian and military assistance and sustaining sanctions against Russian aggression.

I am particularly pleased, honourable senators, that she will co‑sponsor with me and a few MPs think tank day on the Hill in September, and she will be back for that.

Donna, thank you for your decades of public service, your dedication to the truth and your tireless work to build a more equitable, inclusive, trustworthy and democratic Canada. We wish you nothing but the best in your next career.