SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Commonwealth Day

Honourable senators, today, March 9, is Commonwealth Day. As we join 56 nations in celebration, we reflect on our shared values of democracy, literacy and international cooperation.

On March 8, I had the distinct honour of attending a Commonwealth Day event in Vancouver, hosted by the Royal Commonwealth Society of Canada Mainland of B.C. Branch. Under the leadership of President Shawn Wade, it was a privilege to witness the awarding of medals and certificates to students who excelled in the annual essay and speech contests. Seeing the brilliance of these young people reminds us that the “common wealth” we share is found most profoundly in our youth.

The theme for this year, “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth,” holds a deep resonance for Canadians. It reminds us that our resilience is not a passive trait; it is a commitment to ensuring that our diversity and our shared resources are used to uplift the members of our global family.

Honourable senators, this commitment to a resilient future is inseparable from International Women’s Day, which we also celebrated yesterday.

We see this resilience in the remarkable achievements of our Canadian women throughout history, trailblazers and courageous leaders who have strengthened our nation. We see it especially in the heroic women of the Canadian Armed Forces, like our colleague Rear-Admiral (Ret’d) Rebecca Patterson.

For me, leadership and inspiration have always been personal. I stand here today because of the incredibly strong, intelligent and beautiful women in my life. I think of my late mother, Kye Soon Kwon, whose courage and sacrifice are the very foundation of my life, and I look to my daughter, Kiana Mi-Sun Martin, who is my greatest inspiration and a reminder of the bright, bold future we are building for the next generation.

To all the women of our nation, of the Commonwealth and of the world, your strength is the bedrock of our communities.

Honourable senators, let us remember that a resilient common future is only possible when women and girls can live with safety, dignity and opportunity.

Happy Commonwealth Day and happy belated International Women’s Day.