SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Newfoundland and Labrador's Shed Party

Well, folks, it’s that time of year again. Honourable senators, my Newfoundland colleagues here in the Senate of Canada and the House of Commons and I are going to bring Newfoundland and Labrador to the steps of Parliament Hill.

In just a few short hours, the doors will swing open at the John A. Macdonald Building, and all of you are welcome — many have RSVP’d already — to celebrate all our wonderful and beautiful province has to offer.

Tonight, we bring the shed party to Ottawa. Some people have asked, “What is a shed party?” In Newfoundland, a shed party is usually a little get-together in somebody’s backyard in a little shed where a few people have a chat, yarn and have something to eat, a little refreshment and a bit of music, but tonight’s shed party is much bigger.

Prizes will be drawn for airline tickets from Air Canada, WestJet and provincial airlines. I hope the winners travel to Newfoundland and Labrador.

There will be a great Newfoundland food selection provided by Ocean Choice International and Clearwater Seafoods, and the world-renowned, award-winning Fogo Island Inn chef will be in town, from one of only two Canadian hotels to receive the Three Key recognition from the Michelin Guide. Famous guests have visited there, including Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, basketball star Michael Jordan and Canadian senator Mohamed Ravalia.

Refreshments will be provided by several of our local companies. One is the Newfoundland Distillery Company. One of their spirits is called Gunpowder & Rose. Try that and then see what your dancing shoes are like. The music will be provided by drummers from Labrador and singers from the west coast. Our house band is the award-winning Juno nominee Rum Ragged. I may be biased there; my son is one of the lead singers.

There will be something for everybody. Senator Gold loves the music, Senator MacDonald loves the fish and Senator Cuzner, well, he loves a party.

This is our fourth shed party, and I want to thank all our sponsors, who helped us make this bigger and better than ever. I hope you can all make it this evening. Come one and all, because a shed party, as I said, is a special place, a special gathering, where there are no strangers — only friends you haven’t met.