THE SENATE — New Senators
Congratulations on Appointments
May 28, 2025
Honourable senators, I rise today on behalf of the Government Representative Office to welcome two new colleagues to the Senate of Canada, Senators Arnold and Mohamed.
Senators Arnold and Mohamed, you will, no doubt, notice you are joining a very diverse body of Canadians with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, each of whom is able to contribute to our work in a unique and valuable way.
Senator Arnold, your experience in municipal politics as councillor-at-large and mayor of Moncton have undoubtedly equipped you to carefully scrutinize and offer valuable insights into the important bills coming our way. Your commitment and passion when it comes to the arts and culture are admirable. I’m eager for you to continue promoting them in the Senate.
Senator Mohamed, your decades of experience in the charitable sector and your experience in and devotion to addressing systemic inequities both at home and abroad are unparalleled. Your time as a CEO of the King’s Trust Canada and the Malala Fund along with your work for Canada’s Forest Trust Corporation have provided you with a unique perspective from which we will all benefit.
As I have said to many of your colleagues before, as recently as this week, we have all been where you are today. I know it must seem daunting at the beginning; it certainly did to all of us, certainly to me, but know that every one of your colleagues is happy to answer your questions, provide advice if asked and point you in the right direction to assist you in this new chapter of your lives.
Once again, dear colleagues, thank you. On behalf of the Government Representative Office, welcome to you both.
Honourable senators, I am pleased to rise once again this week to welcome two new and exceptional colleagues to our ranks, Senator Farah Mohamed and Senator Dawn Arnold. Senators, today marks the formal beginning of your service in the Senate of Canada, but it is by no means the beginning of your leadership, advocacy and contribution to public life.
Senator Mohamed, your story is one of resilience, courage and visionary purpose. As a former young refugee from a refugee family from Uganda, you have devoted your life to building a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable world. From leading the Malala Fund to founding Fora and heading The King’s Trust Canada, you have consistently worked to elevate the voices of those too often left out, especially women, girls and marginalized youth.
I would be remiss if I did not highlight the special presence of your mom and dad at the swearing-in ceremony today. We, of course, know how amazing that is. In particular, I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Mohamed because I have had the privilege of meeting Senator Mohamed before this swearing-in ceremony. I want to thank you for the character, courage and values you have instilled in Senator Mohamed.
Your voice will bring strength to this chamber, particularly in matters of gender equity, social innovation and global engagement.
Senator Arnold, you come to us after 30 years of experience in municipal government, community development and publishing, including 8 years as the first female Mayor of Moncton. You have long championed environmental sustainability, bilingualism, cultural development and democratic engagement. You have built a legacy of civic growth and inclusive leadership, and you bring to the Senate a deep understanding of how national decisions ripple into local communities.
You remind us that good government is grounded in listening, transparency and community connection.
Senators, your paths have been very different, but both are rooted in public service and, of course, a deep love of our great country. We welcome your convictions, experience and courage. We look forward to the contributions you will no doubt make to this chamber and to the country you serve.
I want to reiterate that our door is always open. As I have said before, ours is a big tent caucus and one that understands the four principles of supporting government legislation, opposing government legislation, holding government to account and, of course, good private members’ bills. Welcome to the Senate. I look forward to working with you.
Colleagues and distinguished guests, today we welcome two colleagues who, like the rest of us, see their new role in the Senate of Canada as a tremendous honour. Both of these colleagues are also fully aware of the demanding responsibilities that fall to us, and both are entirely capable and qualified to carry them out.
Senator Arnold, I am pleased to welcome you as such an accomplished former municipal official truly dedicated to public service. In addition to your nine years as Mayor of Moncton, you had been on the city council since 2012 and were still popular when you left office. That is quite a feat.
The municipal level of government is the closest to the population it stands for and therefore has a very demanding task. Now that you are a federal parliamentarian, I know you will bring the same proximity, efficiency and care for your fellow citizens that made you such a respected figure in your city of Moncton and across New Brunswick.
Your long list of achievements, including your volunteer work in the arts, culture and communications, are equally remarkable. They attest to your wide-ranging expertise. Your many talents and solid experience are additional assets that will benefit us all in the course of our work.
Senator Mohamed, from our first conversation, I have noticed your deep and unwavering sense of duty.
I have no doubt that it is this very sense of duty and public service that made you agree to serve as a senator even though you could also have found success elsewhere. But it is because you place public interest before personal considerations that you will become a great contributor to the Senate of Canada.
Anyone looking at your professional history is impressed by the diversity and depth of your achievements. You strike me as a strategic doer, an achiever and someone who can manage whatever situation you face. While this may be a new role, your knowledge of Parliament as a former staffer to federal MPs and a minister will make, I am certain, for a seamless transition.
Dear Senator Arnold, dear Senator Mohamed, all members of the Independent Senators Group warmly welcome you and look forward to working alongside you. Thank you, meegwetch.
Honourable senators, today we welcome two more senators now taking their seats — and not benches; it is a good day. We have Senator Dawn Arnold representing New Brunswick and Senator Farah Mohamed representing Ontario.
Before I begin, I will disclose to Senator Mohamed that we share common roots because I, too, have strong links to St. Catharines — with an “a” — Ontario, where I did much of my nursing studies and pursued some professional opportunities. I hope to speak to you soon to discover our common links, and I bet we know common people.
With that out of the way, I have the unenviable position of being the fourth speaker when we have already said wonderful things about everybody.
Senator Mohamed and Senator Arnold both have very impressive CVs, and the Canadian Senators Group echoes impressions of how excellent you are for this chamber. I figured I had to dig a little deeper to see what I could find. I was hoping to go further, and I consulted a much higher online authority: I decided to check out your LinkedIn pages. I must tell you, in all seriousness, that we could not have found two better new colleagues. Here is what I found, because you know we have to go over this.
Senator Arnold has accumulated an impressive number of endorsements related to her skills in policy development, strategic planning, public relations and public speaking. The Senate will greatly benefit from your expertise in these areas because we know how to talk. Your endorsed skills make you a prime candidate to be a senator, and we are very pleased to have you join us here. Your professional experience, background and commitment to public service will greatly benefit us and all Canadians as we examine, study and deliberate the future of this country.
According to your LinkedIn pages, Senator Mohamed, you have also received very positive comments and recommendations from former colleagues and clients alike. Here are two of the more notable ones. The first says:
Farah’s passion for her work was evident . . . . Farah’s commitment to women’s issues and how they relate to the international political economy makes me excited to follow her career path. . . .
The second says, “Farah has an unfailing ability to accomplish complex projects while inspiring everyone she works with to excel.” We’re ready for it.
She has impressive endorsements of 54 skills by her peers online, all very positive.
With comments and endorsements like these, the bar is now set very high for you, Senator Mohamed, as you assume your duties as a senator. It is music to our ears, even if you are no longer a member of the board of Music Canada.
Thank you again, LinkedIn. To the both of you, we look forward to your contributions. On behalf of my colleagues in the Canadian Senators Group, I welcome you both to the Senate of Canada.
Honourable senators, on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, I’m happy to join the other leaders in welcoming another two colleagues today. There is a bit less pomp and circumstance than there was yesterday, but this is nevertheless an important moment for these new senators who have waited several months to take their places in this chamber. It’s nice to finally make it official.
Senator Dawn Arnold has a proven track record of community building, so I have no doubt that she will continue to be an excellent advocate for her communities here in the Senate. Moncton’s loss is a gain for New Brunswick and, indeed, for all of Canada. Her municipal experience and her commitment to arts and culture — especially Francophone culture — will be valuable in her new role as senator.
Welcome, Senator Arnold.
Senator Farah Mohamed has both founded and led charitable sector organizations, particularly to address systemic inequalities and to defend the rights of women and girls. Her fierce passion and dedication for justice and human rights issues will be welcomed here. Though she may be used to being on the other side having worked in the other place as a staffer, I have no doubt that she will fit right in as a senator.
Welcome, Senator Mohamed.
As we heard yesterday, the government has an ambitious agenda, and Canadians will be looking to all parliamentarians to work together for the good of our country.
On behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, I am pleased to officially welcome you to the Senate. We look forward to working with you both.
Wela’lin. Thank you.
