Honourable senators, I’ve been waiting three weeks to give this statement. Then I missed that today was Senator Cordy’s retirement tribute. Of course, I’m not going to pass up the opportunity to say a few words.

Frankly, I can’t believe it’s been so long that Senator Cordy has been in the Senate. The dean of the Senate is leaving us today. That will leave our Acting Speaker as the dean. It will leave three of us as refugees from the former Liberal caucus: Senator Massicotte, Senator Ringuette and myself, now that we’re losing Senator Cordy.

Colleagues, 25 years ago I flew to Halifax because the then prime minister said, “A lot of people want this Jane Cordy in the Senate. Do you know her?” I always had the impression that the then prime minister maybe thought the Maritimes were so small we all knew each other. Not only did I not know her — I’d never met her. He said, “Go to Halifax.”

We invited her for a cup of coffee at the Sheraton. We had a long chat. Colleagues, I can tell you that she hasn’t changed a bit. The same enthusiasm, passion and willingness to work for and help others is still there today, 24 and a half years later. That’s a lesson for all of us.

She never became cynical through the difficulties of getting things done. She kept working constantly. She mentioned it in her remarks. I understand she talked about some of the parliamentary associations. I know of the outstanding work she did with NATO on behalf of Canadian parliamentarians.

You can’t talk about Senator Cordy without talking about Bob and her family. Like Bob and Jane, Roslyn and I have two daughters. Jane’s daughters, Alison and Michelle, are older than ours. She gave me many roadmaps about what to expect in the future: “They are doing this and that now. They are in Bermuda. They are now back in Halifax.” It was all helpful because everything that happened to us had happened to her. It was all good news, but that was important information for parenting.

Bob and his family paid a price for what Jane did for so many others, as all our families do. It’s something we have to recognize as well. While Jane was doing her important work here, Bob and the family were living in Halifax — in Dartmouth, actually — without her, going to events and having family functions, some of which she had to miss. Sometimes, when she was home, she would get phone calls about things that had to be done. That’s a contribution the family has made as well, and we should all recognize that today.

Senator Cordy, we’re going to miss you, as others have said. We wish you the very best in whatever else you take up. I know book clubs, reviewing books and other activities will be an important part of your life.

Thank you very much.