Honourable senators, last Thursday, June 24, was a day of celebration, not just because it was Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day in Quebec but especially because the Montreal Canadiens won a historic victory. That win was not just for the people of Montreal and Quebec but for all Canadians.

Nothing brings us together from coast to coast to coast more than our passion for hockey. After all, this good old hockey game is the best game in the world, and it is our game, colleagues.

There hasn’t been a Canadian team in the NHL Stanley Cup finals in a decade, and even sadder, there hasn’t been a Stanley Cup winner in Canada since 1993 when none other than your beloved former colleague, the coach himself, senator Jacques Demers guided the Montreal Canadiens, or the Habs, to their last Stanley Cup championship.

There are many of us old enough to remember the glorious 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with fondness, when Stanley Cup parades were almost a regular occurrence on Sainte-Catherine Street in Montreal. Unfortunately, there is a whole generation of Canadians, fans right across Canada like my own two sons, who have never experienced the excitement of a Stanley Cup parade.

After defying the odds throughout the playoffs, including a game six win over the Vegas Golden Knights, the Canadiens will now focus on bringing hockey’s Holy Grail back over the border for the first time since 1993 — 28 years ago.

This year also marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the closing of the storied Montreal Forum.

Today, we want to congratulate the Habs, their team captain Shea Weber, Carey Price and all the players, coaches and managers for their great performance in the playoffs, which re‑energized Montreal, Quebec and all of Canada. We wish the Habs all the best. Bring the Stanley Cup back home, boys. Thank you, honourable senators.