SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Tributes

Honourable senators, today, I have the privilege of rising on behalf of the Independent Senators Group to pay tribute to Senator Beverly Ann Busson, a woman whose presence in this chamber, like her entire career in the public service, has been marked by a quiet strength, great humility and an enormous commitment to others.

Respect is the feeling that she inspired in us from the moment she was sworn into the Senate.

In this chamber, Senator Busson once shared the story of the day she became the commissioner of the RCMP. She recalled how her mother leaned over and said, “You know, darling, I never thought you’d get this far.”

She recounted that moment with humour and grace but also with profound insight. What stayed with her was not the honour itself but the lesson behind it: to remember where you came from, to have the courage of those who have sacrificed themselves for a better life and to never waste the opportunity to pay it forward.

Senator Busson never forgot where she came from, and she certainly paid it forward. Through her leadership, mentorship and example, she opened doors for generations of women in policing, public service and leadership. That is why so many people trust and admire her.

Senator Busson understood something essential about leadership. As she once said, “It’s all about the people around you.” Throughout her career, she never sought the spotlight for herself. Instead, she focused on supporting others, building strong teams and helping people succeed.

The greatest people are often the most humble.

Just a few weeks ago, in the Rules Committee, sitting next to her — I see that she’s nervous — I had the privilege of witnessing her composure first-hand.

Suddenly, I heard a loud bang. Looking up, I saw Senator Busson put her phone down sharply on the desk. As it turned out, Senator Busson was not expressing disagreement at all. She had simply spotted a spider and neutralized it before the rest of us had fully grasped what was happening. She then returned her attention to the meeting as though nothing had happened.

It was a small moment, but one that struck me as entirely fitting. After a distinguished career spent assessing situations and responding decisively, she had clearly not lost her instincts.

Senator Busson — dear Bev — thank you for your courage, humanity and lifetime of service to Canada. Throughout your remarkable tenure in this upper chamber, you have inspired well‑deserved, immense respect from us since your very first day.

Stay safe and enjoy life. We offer you our best wishes in your next endeavours.

Honourable senators, on behalf of myself and the GRO, I rise today to pay tribute to our remarkable colleague and dear friend Senator Bev Busson.

I came to know Senator Busson when the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans visited Newfoundland and Labrador during its study of the seal industry. During dinner at my home, her captivating stories left a lasting impression. I remember thinking that night that Senator Busson was someone with whom I would become close friends.

That first impression proved entirely accurate. We have shared countless laughs and wonderful times together. Some of my favourite memories involve evenings with Senator Busson, filled with warmth, humour and an endless supply of entertaining stories.

I must also admit that whenever Senator Busson was nearby, I always felt a little safer. Knowing her background, I was confident that if the situation ever required it, she could execute a very effective takedown in a matter of seconds. It serves as a reminder never to underestimate Senator Busson.

It is no surprise that she became the first female commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Senator Busson possesses a rare combination of strength and emotional intelligence. She connects effortlessly with people from all walks of life, and while her accomplishments command respect, it is her authenticity and genuine interest in others that leave a lasting impression.

Last year, Canadians witnessed the opening of the Forty-fifth Parliament by His Majesty King Charles III. The RCMP Musical Ride and its magnificent horses were proudly on display. What many may not know is that one of those horses was named “Bev” in her honour, a fitting tribute to a woman whose contributions to the RCMP and to Canada have been truly extraordinary.

There are two things I will forever associate with Senator Busson: an endless string of emojis, crowning her with the well‑earned title “Emoji Queen,” and “FOMO,” or fear of missing out. Each captures her playful spirit and determination to embrace every opportunity and adventure. She has broken barriers and has inspired others to do the same.

Senator Busson, thank you for your service to Canada, for your leadership, for your friendship and for the example you have set for all of us. May retirement bring you every happiness. Although, knowing your lifelong case of “FOMO,” I suspect retirement will simply mean finding even more things to do.

Thank you, Senator Busson.

Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to our esteemed colleague Senator Bev Busson as she prepares to embark on her well-deserved retirement from this chamber.

Since she was sworn into the Senate in 2018, Senator Busson has brought to this place the very same dedication, integrity and grace that defined her legendary career long before she arrived on Parliament Hill.

To call Senator Busson a trailblazer is not an exaggeration. It is only a statement of extreme fact. Originally from Nova Scotia, where she attended the Nova Scotia Teachers College, she chose a path that would quite literally change the face of Canadian law enforcement.

Senator Busson was a member of the very first class of women to enter the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. From her early days in uniform to investigating complex frauds, drugs and serious crimes, as one of the first women to work in plain clothes, she didn’t just break the glass ceiling; she completely shattered it.

Through her sheer merit, expertise and steadfast commitment to keeping Canadians safe, Bev rose steadily through the ranks. Her career became a “MasterClass” in leadership and a historic series of firsts: the first female commissioned officer, the first female criminal operations officer, the first female command officer of the province, the first female deputy commissioner of a region and, ultimately, the first woman to lead the force as the twenty-first commissioner of the RCMP. That is a lot of firsts, and those are only the ones that I could find.

Her incredible career challenging gender-based barriers earned her a rightful place among “Canada’s Most Powerful Women” by the Women’s Executive Network, but retirement from the force in no way meant retirement from service. Senator Busson continued to advise governments on critical national security matters, served on the RCMP Reform Implementation Council and selflessly gave her time to organizations like the Justice Institute of British Columbia and the Okanagan College Foundation.

She has also spent years lifting up the next generation of female leaders through mentorship. Her life of service has been justly recognized with some of our nation’s highest honours, including the Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation, the Order of British Columbia and her appointment as Member of the Order of Canada. Of course, the list goes on and on.

Honourable colleagues, the Senate has been incredibly fortunate to benefit from Senator Busson and her profound expertise, her collaboration, her spirit and wisdom, and her constant calm, cool and collected approach.

Senator Saint-Germain said she looked a little bit nervous. I’ve never seen this lady look nervous. I can tell you, colleagues, I don’t get nervous very easily either, but when I see her at committee with those piercing eyes looking at me, I think long and hard.

I can tell you that Senator Busson didn’t make many interventions, but when she did, you knew that it meant something. You had to listen attentively, and you had to make sure that you weren’t the one being called to order. A couple of times, you did even call me to order, and I did take note, Senator Busson.

Senator, on behalf of all of us, thank you for your trailblazing service. The country that you’ve so deeply and loyally served thanks you. God bless you.

Honourable senators, today I rise to pay tribute to a colleague, a friend, a fellow veteran, my swearing-in sponsor — of course, who else could it have been? — and a trailblazer, whose impact on Canada will be felt for generations: Senator Bev Busson.

My tribute to you, Bev, is to share some words written by some of the people you see with us here today who know you far better than any of us do: Ruth Roy and Jane Hall of the RCMP Women Veterans Council. This is their message to you:

In May 1974, Bev, a newly graduated teacher, was driving to work when she heard an announcement that the RCMP would begin recruiting women. She drove to the nearest detachment to submit her application that very day.

As a member of Troop 17, the first female troop in the force’s history, a career marked by courage and determination was soon under way.

Bev was young, but not naïve. She understood that she and her peers would not only have to meet the high standards expected of Mounties but also exceed them. But, like Newton’s First Law of Motion, societal norms tend to resist change until an outside force is applied, and with Bev leading the charge, women were that outside force.

Bev exemplified the strengths women brought to policing: emotional intelligence, compassion, empathy and a desire for work-life balance.

As she advanced through the ranks, Bev achieved an impressive string of firsts and helped transform the culture. As deputy commissioner in 1999, she became the first woman to command E Division, the same division where she had begun her RCMP career 25 years earlier. It seemed to be the pinnacle of a remarkable career until the Prime Minister called Bev back from planned retirement in 2006 to restore credibility to the Office of the Commissioner.

At the time of her appointment as commissioner, she had widespread support from the RCMP rank and file. No one doubted that Bev could handle the challenge; they only worried she might not accept it.

During her years in the Senate, Bev has maintained her connection with the people and organization she served, supporting veterans initiatives, including the landmark study entitled Invisible No More. The Experiences of Canadian Women Veterans by the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.

On a personal note, I remember us standing together to speak with the women veterans in the audience, and like a well-rehearsed comedy duo, we conveyed a unified message about what including women in leadership roles and non-traditional positions can look like and how to accomplish it. I think we also showed them that they do have a voice.

Your work in the Senate continued your tradition of service, maintaining your standing as an exemplary role model and a trusted figure. Your quiet confidence and commanding presence ensured people listened.

Although your retirement from the Senate concludes another distinguished chapter, those who know you understand that service is not something you will simply depart from. Knowing you, everyone is confident that you will continue with your wisdom, encouragement and leadership in the ongoing pursuit of a just and fair society.

Senator Bev Busson, on behalf of all of us and on behalf of the Canadian Senators Group, we thank you for a lifetime of service to Canada.

Ma’am, you may now stand down and enjoy this new chapter in your life.

Honourable senators, it is with great pride and a good amount of sadness that I rise to pay tribute to my seatmate, colleague and friend Senator Busson.

With my three minutes, I will skip her incredibly impressive resumé and focus on how lucky I’ve been to have her by my side in this chamber for nearly a decade.

When I saw Bev was appointed, I was intrigued by her journey and thrilled to become her desk buddy shortly after. It did not take long for us to realize we are kindred spirits. Bev’s career has been defined by courage, integrity and trailblazing leadership. We shared our experiences of taking on leadership roles where women had not in the past, sometimes being the only women in the room in our pre-Senate lives.

We pushed each other’s thinking. We did not always agree on legislation — and that was fine — but we made sure we were always well informed through debate. I also observed my deskmate as she rose to quietly support the family of our beloved Josée Forest-Niesing. The loss of a colleague to COVID was devastating. Bev was one of the senators who met with Josée virtually during COVID. It was their goal to optimize the work of Senate committees as we adapted to the pandemic. Bev was trusted by Josée’s husband, Robert, and worked in the background to ensure the family’s wishes were granted in such a sad time. Bev is truly a class act.

We quickly learned to look out for each other. We read and critiqued each other’s statements and speeches and provided feedback. We even roamed around the Senate Chamber together as a pair. To this day, we’re not sure why, on that side of the Senate, we were placed behind former Senator Plett — prime camera view — and, on this side, we have been placed in the prime camera shot for two government representatives.

This, my friends, requires deskmate oversight — ensuring our facial expressions were appropriate and that we were in our desks and looking senatorial. That was challenging at times. We often had to fight the giggles, and we shared many laughs without saying a word or even cracking a smile.

Bev also made sure that we were well fed. She once brought a three-foot-long frozen salmon she had caught in northern B.C. Her catch beat the men’s in terms of size. She got it to Ottawa, and it was the best salmon I’ve ever had. This is fitting because she repeatedly tapped me to replace her at the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.

When my husband, Bruce, and I travelled by RV out west, we tried to meet Senator Busson at her beautiful lakefront home. Alas, she was busy out of town — but not too busy to set us up in a perfect camp spot and at a waterfront restaurant, compliments of our colleague.

As my dear friend finishes her tenure here, her influence is felt throughout the Senate and way beyond this desk. Through committee work and through thought-provoking questions in debate, Bev has strongly influenced the efforts of this institution to become more modern and effective.

Bev, with your husband, Phil, your sister, Janice, your kids and those beautiful grandchildren — there are many photos to enjoy of Madison, Brooklyn, Jordyn and Ethan — enjoy every moment with them in Salmon Arm. The Senate gals will be keeping a close eye on you and your next chapter. However, for now, I will say so long but not goodbye, dear deskmate.

Honourable senators, as a child growing up in the small rural fishing community of St. Bride’s in Newfoundland and Labrador, I often heard my parents refer to particular woman in our town by saying things like, “Ms. White is a lady,” or, “Ms. Conway is such a lady.”

As I was preparing my remarks last evening, I decided to reach out to my good friend Mr. Webster to review what he had to say about the word “lady.” I found the Webster’s Dictionary definition to be “a woman characterized by polite, refined behaviour and gentle manner.”

Friends, today, I stand here in the chamber with mixed emotions to say a few words in tribute to one of the finest human beings I’ve ever had the honour and privilege to know and work with.

Hear, hear.

She is a great Deputy Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, a passionate and hard-working senator, a dedicated family person, a very close and personal friend and — yes, indeed — a true living example of a lady. She is our colleague — and my friend — Bev Busson.

As someone who spent most of my life going in any other direction when I would see a member of the RCMP coming toward me, I have found it very strange, the close and comfortable working relationship I have built with Senator Busson, the lady representing British Columbia here in the Senate.

It was not long before I realized why Bev was such a unique and genuine person. I gained the knowledge that she had been born in Nova Scotia and, therefore, possessed a large amount of Atlantic Canada DNA. I then knew why she was so special.

While Bev has a very quiet demeanour and walks softly when she enters any room, please do not be fooled; she carries a big stick. As evident from our years of working together as Chair and Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, Bev is always well informed and meticulously prepared for any and all meetings, even after a night of, dare I say, sharing a bottle or two of wine with our good friend Senator Petten.

Seriously, though, I want to personally thank Bev for stepping up and chairing the committee for several months when I was unable to be here in Ottawa due to my several eye surgeries. Needless to say, she did not covet the chair’s position, as some of my other colleagues do on the committee, but I will leave that discussion for another day.

Today is all about taking the time to pay tribute to a lady who has left an incredible mark on the Senate of Canada and a powerful and meaningful legacy on all of those who have shared this journey with her.

People come and go in this place all the time, and there are a few people that have left that I do not miss at all. But when it comes to Senator Bev Busson, I recall a note my mom sent me a long time ago:

You may forget someone’s telephone number. You may forget their address. You may even forget their name. But you will never forget their kindness.

Bev, I will miss your humility, your gentle ways, your wicked sense of humour and, indeed, your kindness.

As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

I will not say goodbye to my friend Bev. I will send her off with an old Irish blessing:

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Thank you.

Honourable senators, I’m not sure if I have anything else to say.

It is my privilege and honour to rise today in this august chamber to recognize and celebrate our colleague the Honourable Senator Bev Busson as she prepares to retire from the Senate.

Bev, I want to begin by saying thank you for your service, your leadership, your friendship and for the example you have set throughout your remarkable journey.

Long before the Senate, you had already made Canadian history. As has already been shared, you were part of the first class of women to join the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or RCMP, in 1974. What was missed earlier is that when she went to the detachment to apply and the constable said, “We’re not hiring women,” the sergeant who came around with the application was already crying. So Bev made men cry before she even joined the RCMP.

As the first woman to serve as Commissioner of the RCMP, you opened doors that others now walk through with pride.

But what stands out just as much as the history you have made is the person you have always been.

Donna Morse, your troopmate from Troop 17, remembered first knowing you as Beverley MacDonald, someone with pride, integrity and remarkable accomplishments. She also reminded us of your unforgettable smile, your humour and perhaps even a certain reputation behind the wheel, including, as the story goes, a gold-coloured Corvette that may or may not have attracted attention in Vancouver. As she said last night, “She lived for speed.”

Those stories make us smile, but they also reveal something deeper. You never used your position to place yourself above others. You led with humility, fairness and humanity.

Karen Adams also shared a beautiful reflection of your generosity during the fiftieth anniversary of women in the RCMP, when you gave her and her sister what she called the “VIP Bev Busson Parliament Experience.” That is so very Bev: giving your time fully, making others feel welcome and never making service feel like an obligation.

For me personally, it has been deeply humbling to serve alongside you in the Senate. I have admired you for many years, but to have you as my sponsor in this institution has meant more than I can properly express.

When I received the call from the Prime Minister about my appointment, it was deeply meaningful. But just as meaningful — and perhaps even more so — was the call I received from you. You congratulated me with such genuine joy, not only as a colleague but as someone who understood what it meant to see another RCMP officer appointed to the Senate.

That call will always stay with me.

Bev, you have served Canada in uniform, in leadership and in Parliament. You have broken barriers, lifted others and shown that true strength is found in courage, compassion and care.

And while you may be retiring from the Senate, I want to be very clear: I will continue to lean on your wisdom, your experience and your friendship. In fact, I fully intend to keep you on speed-dial, so I hope retirement comes with good cell reception.

Congratulations on an extraordinary career of service. May this next chapter bring you joy, good health, adventure and the deep satisfaction of knowing that your impact will continue for generations.

To my friend, my colleague and my mentor, thank you.

Honourable senators, I should have gone before Senator Manning and Senator Dhillon. What a sincere honour for me to be able to add my voice and to rise and pay tribute to our colleague and friend the Honourable Senator Bev Busson as she prepares to conclude her exemplary service as a senator representing our province of British Columbia.

Though she retires from the Senate of Canada after her appointment in 2018, she does so after decades of service to Canadians.

Before her appointment to the Senate, she built a distinguished career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. After joining the RCMP in 1974, she went on to hold a number of senior leadership positions and ultimately became the first woman to serve as Commissioner of the RCMP. Throughout her career, she helped pave the way for future generations of women in policing and public service.

Senator Busson brought her decades of experience in leadership, public safety and community service to Parliament in her work as a senator.

We have heard others speak of her incredible wisdom and insights that she was able to bring to the debates here in the chamber and at committee. Her sage and thoughtful voice on issues relating to public safety, national security, veterans, all things related to fisheries and many other important matters impacting the lives of Canadians are on the record for all Canadians to know the kind of impact that she had not just in the Senate of Canada but on our entire nation.

Public service takes many forms, but it is always rooted in a willingness to contribute to something larger than oneself. Senator Busson’s careers, both as a leader in policing and public safety and as a legislator, have been marked by that unwavering commitment.

As fellow senators representing British Columbia, like our other colleagues, we have shared the responsibility to ensure that the perspectives and interests of our beautiful province are heard in this chamber. You have served British Columbians and, indeed, all Canadians with an immeasurable sense of duty and honour.

As you prepare to leave the Senate, I want to thank you for your contributions to this institution and for the example that you have set throughout a lifetime of public service. It has been such an honour to serve with you and get to know you. While it was not in the same way as others, because I didn’t get to serve on the same committees per se, knowing that you are from the same province and the love that we share, it was an instant mutual friendship.

Best of luck in the next chapter, and I look forward to visiting you in the bright summers ahead. Thank you.