The Honourable Judith G. Seidman

Honourable senators, thank you. I know it’s late, but you know that I never speak for long. I promise you I will be quick.

Honourable colleagues, some individuals leave an imprint on this chamber through a steady presence that never needs amplification. Former senator Judith Seidman has been such a figure. Her work reflected a quiet determination shaped by thoughtful judgment and an unwavering sense of responsibility toward Canadians.

During her years here, she carried out the duties of Opposition Whip with characteristic discipline and calm authority, balancing the demands of the role with a steady respect for the institution and for the people who worked alongside her. It is a position I now hold, and I am mindful each day of the standard she set. Her approach to leadership showed how structure and compassion can coexist and how a firm hand can still feel fair.

Former Senator Seidman has always spoken from a place anchored in principle. When her conscience urged her to rise, she did so without hesitation, offering clarity in moments that needed it and guiding difficult discussions with patience. Her voice encouraged others to look more closely, to question assumptions and to consider the human impact behind every policy.

Here I will quote Rumi, as I often do when I pay tribute to my colleagues. Rumi once wrote, “Let the beauty we love be what we do.”

Former Senator Seidman embodied this idea in her public life. Her devotion to the well-being of others shaped the questions she pursued and the positions she defended, creating a record marked by care and sincerity rather than self-assertion.

On a personal level, my time with former Senator Seidman has been marked by many quiet evenings over dinner, where conversation flowed easily and friendship took root. I had the chance to introduce her to food from my region, and although she is known for her love of oatmeal and salad, she embraced those dishes with genuine delight. When her retirement approached, I offered to host a small lunch in her honour, as I have done for others, but in her characteristically modest way, she declined. Instead, she asked me for one more dinner together — and where did she want to go? To a South Asian restaurant that we frequented.

Former Senator Seidman, now that you’ve moved into the next chapter of your life, please rest assured that the mark you left here endures. Your leadership, steadiness and commitment to principle will continue to guide those of us who follow the path you once walked.

You carry with you our profound respect and gratitude for all that you have given. Thank you.