SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Telling Our Story

Honourable senators, many of you have asked me why I present chapters to “Telling Our Story.” The reason I began the series “Telling Our Story” was because in 2016, we marked the one hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel during the First World War where hundreds of young Newfoundland men were killed or missing in action on July 1, 1916.

Along with that, since arriving in Ottawa almost 20 years ago, I have encountered many people who tell me that they have been everywhere in Canada except Newfoundland and Labrador, which still amazes me to this day. I decided then that my initiative would be that of “Telling Our Story,” and I would present 100 chapters through our three-minute Senators’ Statements to pay honour to the soldiers who fought for our freedom and, at the same time, promote the people, places and events that make my home province such a special place.

I announced my intentions in the Senate Chamber on May 19, 2016, and my plan at that time was that Chapter 1 would be about the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel, but that changed a couple of days later on May 21, which was my fifty-second birthday. As I sat in my office on Parliament Hill, I received a call from my oldest brother Eugene who informed me that our dad, who had been bedridden for almost two years, had taken a turn for the worse, and within a few hours he passed away.

At that time, I received overwhelming support and expressions of sympathy from my Senate colleagues. When I returned to Ottawa following my dad’s funeral, I had decided that my first chapter would be about my dad, Walter Joseph Manning.

Sitting in my office later that evening, I decided then and there that if I ever reached my goal of 100 chapters, my last chapter would be about my mom, Julia Mary Manning. Yesterday, I presented Chapter 99, so next week I will have the honour to present Chapter 100 and tell you all about a very special lady.

I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to those of you who have told me how much you enjoy my stories of Newfoundland and Labrador. For those of you who have not paid a visit yet, the planes do go both ways.

Thanks again, and don’t forget to tune in next week — same place, same channel.