Public Complaints and Review Commission Bill

Honourable senators, I had some notes prepared, but, without wanting to be overly dramatic, I have such a sour taste in my mouth right now about what happened here in the last 20 minutes that I think maybe we’ll all go home and spend a few months collecting our thoughts to see whether we are here to protect the nation or to protect Justin Trudeau.

Having seen the vote on a budget where people are here saying they are representing their provinces, but they don’t even have an opinion on the budget and they stay sitting — at least some people had the courage to stand and vote in favour of this horrible budget, while others sat and did nothing.

Colleagues, I know you don’t want me to school you, and I apologize for doing that. You will be able to go home in a few hours, and you won’t need to hear from me again until I come back in September, God willing. I will continue letting everybody know what kind of a horrible job this government is doing and how so many people here who pretend to be independent are Liberals, yet we say we are non-partisan. Senator Gold and company say we have developed a more non-partisan chamber. I’ve been here for 15 years, and this is the most partisan chamber I’ve ever been part of.

In any event, we’re here to talk about Bill C-20, something that Trudeau promised nine years ago, dragged his feet for nine years and now gives us Bill C-20, something that we have been fighting for, wanting and have supported. I will save my remarks for the beginning of September. At this point, I will simply recommend that this go to committee for a thorough, hopefully somewhat independent committee study, although I’m increasingly hesitant about thinking anything will be independent at committee.

Nevertheless, I wish you all a good summer, and we’ll let this bill go to committee at this point. Thank you.