Hon. Brian Francis: Honourable senators, it is my pleasure to rise on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, or PSG, to pay tribute to the Honourable Judith Seidman.

Nearing the end of a very busy and productive week, it’s nice to have an opportunity to pause for a moment to celebrate and reflect on the busy and productive Senate career that our colleague has had.

Having served in this place for over 15 years now, Senator Seidman has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public service.

Through initiatives like Science Meets Parliament and Women in House; sponsoring legislation like Vanessa’s Law; her dedication to important issues like our long-term care system and aging in place; raising concerns about regulations around vaping; and her work on the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology for most of her time in the Senate, Senator Seidman has been a devoted advocate for health and social issues.

Through her service throughout the years on the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and in her current role as Chair of the Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators, she has equally demonstrated a commitment to the administrative functioning of this institution and helping us ensure that we are always seeking to achieve the highest levels of integrity and accountability in both our work and our operations.

I would also like to highlight her important contributions to one of the most ethically complex issues of our time, medical assistance in dying. In 2016, Senator Seidman served as one of the Senate members on the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying. This experience certainly helped shape her participation in the debates on both Bill C-14 and Bill C-7. Although I was only here for Bill C-7, it was certainly helpful to hear the contributions of those who had worked so hard on Bill C-14. During these times of profound reflection and legal transformation, she brought clarity, compassion and focus to this complex and personal topic.

Senator Seidman, you leave behind a legacy of thoughtful engagement and a deep respect for the responsibilities entrusted to us as senators.

On behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, thank you for your service and your many contributions. We wish you the very best in the years to come.

Wela’lin, thank you.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!