Honourable senators, we are joined today by an outstanding group of young people. Twenty of our visitors in our gallery are interns in the offices of members of Parliament. They are from Ukraine and are participating in the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program. Many are beginning their careers in international relations, law, medicine and other areas. They have lived through the onset of the genocidal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Many have families and friends whose lives and liberty are in jeopardy.

Many have loved ones who are fighting for the survival of their country and a world order governed by the rule of law and not the whims of tyrannical autocrats. We know that when Ukraine wins this war, there will be no more war. If Russia wins this war, there will be no more Ukraine.

We in this chamber stand with Ukraine and welcome these future leaders who represent the tenacity, honour and resilience of the Ukrainian people. Young people who aspire to do great things, as our visitors do, benefit from exposure to other ways of understanding our common world. They also benefit from being exposed to role models who demonstrate that hard work, struggle and dedication to the values that underlie our democratic institutions can achieve a better world for all.

Speaking of role models, I can think of none better for these young women to emulate than one of our own colleagues, a person I am proud to call a friend, a fellow Nova Scotian who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in her fight for global equality, environmental protection and the rights of Indigenous peoples: our own Senator Mary Coyle. As some of you know, Senator Coyle recently received an honorary degree of Doctor of Business Management from Meru University of Science and Technology in Meru, Kenya. This degree is a fitting recognition of her decades of work, building stronger and more gender-equitable communities around the world.

I know you all will join with me in recognizing Senator Coyle’s achievements. Congratulations, Mary. You have set a high bar for us all.

Honourable senators, it is fitting that our guests in the gallery today can see that there are people in Canada who have worked hard and successfully to help create a more just and equal world. These people give us strength and fill our future with hope.

Guests, you will soon be returning to your country and engaging in the very difficult task of winning the war and directing the reconstruction of Ukraine. I hope you will seek out mentors who will work with you, help guide you and who can provide you with the support, advice and realistic encouragement you will need to help you as you build a better Ukraine and a more just and tolerant world.

The road ahead will be a difficult one, but no trip worth the journey is smooth. Good luck and Godspeed. Thank you, wela’lioq, d’akuju.