Honourable senators, I rise today on behalf of my colleagues in the Government Representative Office to welcome Senator Margo Greenwood to the Senate of Canada.

Senator Greenwood has a lengthy record of achievement in leadership and in community service. As an Indigenous scholar of Cree ancestry, she has devoted much of her long career to the health and well-being of Indigenous children, families and communities.

Senator Greenwood was a professor in the education program at the University of Northern British Columbia, where her research included the historic and contemporary systemic and structural impacts on the development of early childhood programs and services in Canada and the social determinants of health, with particular emphasis on colonization and children’s rights. She also served as vice-president of Indigenous health for the Northern Health authority, where she provided executive leadership to the Indigenous Health portfolio.

Her accomplishments are many, and her expertise has informed legislation and government policy. She has sat on more than 75 national and provincial committees, including just recently the Expert Panel on Early Learning and Child Care Data created by Minister Duclos in 2019.

Senator Greenwood’s achievements have been recognized by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups in Canada. When appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada, it was in part for her “transformational leadership in Indigenous health policy.”

Colleagues, we are truly lucky to be welcoming Senator Greenwood in our midst today.

Honourable senators, on behalf of the opposition and the Senate Conservative caucus, I am pleased to rise in this chamber to welcome our newest colleague, the Honourable Margo Greenwood. Senator Greenwood, I wish to extend to you a very warm welcome to the Senate of Canada.

As a fellow senator from our beautiful province of British Columbia, I look forward to working with you to support and advocate for British Columbians. As former educators, we also share a love of teaching and mentoring bright, young minds who may one day themselves become senators or whatever they so choose.

Senator Greenwood is certainly a role model for many, as a respected Indigenous scholar of Cree ancestry with notable achievements and a stellar record of leadership and community service. There is much written about her professional achievements, including the following on the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health site:

While her work crosses disciplines and sectors, Dr. Greenwood is particularly recognized — regionally, provincially, nationally and internationally — for her work in early childhood care and education, and in Indigenous public health.

Senator Greenwood, I am certain that your knowledge, expertise and passion for helping others will be useful and relevant in your work as a senator. As you embark on this new journey in the Senate of Canada, you will soon realize that you are not only making friends but that you have joined a new family — the Senate family. It is a family that has various opinions, perspectives and experiences but that together will serve a common purpose, which is to work for Canadians. We are here for them. We serve here, in the heart of Canadian democracy, in order to promote their best interests.

I speak not only for myself when I say we look forward to collaboratively working with you not only in this chamber but also at committee. Canadians are increasingly looking at the Senate to not only bring sober second thought and due diligence, but they are looking at the Senate for hope — hope that their voices are heard, that their concerns become ours and that together this chamber ensures the best path forward for everyone — especially minority groups — across our vast country. I trust that you will do just that.

On behalf of the opposition and the Conservative caucus, I welcome you once again to the Senate of Canada.

Honourable senators, through my voice, all members of the Independent Senators Group are delighted to welcome today our new colleague, the Honourable Senator Margo Lainne Greenwood. Senator Greenwood, I would also like to welcome your family members and loved ones who are with you today to celebrate this unique occasion.

Our new colleague is a full professor in the University of Northern British Columbia’s education program and the academic leader of the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health. A recognized scholar of Cree ancestry, she has spent her career focusing on improving the health and well‑being of Indigenous children, families and communities through research and public and community services.

Senator Greenwood is far from being a novice in the study of legislation. Since 1992, she has been contributing to policy and legislation, both in her province of British Columbia and in the country as a whole. She has actively participated in the Expert Panel on Early Learning and Child Care Data and Research, held in 2019 by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development at the time, as well as in the 2020 Public Health Working Group on Remote and Isolated Communities, to name only a few of her contributions to improving public policy.

The Senate has already had the privilege of benefiting from her expertise when she appeared as a witness in 2008 before the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, which was followed by an informative report on early childhood and care. She has also been a strong ally of Senator Yvonne Boyer’s. They have worked together on issues related to reproductive justice and, notably, the fight against forced sterilization of Indigenous women. Now the Senate will have the opportunity to benefit from the contributions of this outstanding tandem on a regular basis.

Senator Greenwood, I could go on for hours listing the numerous and well-deserved awards and distinctions you have received throughout your career — but in three minutes, I can’t. However, I could not help but cite a passage from Places for the Good Care of Children, the doctoral thesis you successfully submitted for your PhD at the University of British Columbia. This excerpt resonates with me. Colleagues, the following words are hers:

The principles of respect, reciprocity, relevance and responsibility go beyond theory and practice to living life, to being in the world. A wise friend once told me that Indigenous ways of knowing and being in the world are not just for Indigenous peoples but are about humanity, about living with the world in a respectful and honouring way. . . .

Senator Greenwood, all members of the Independent Senators Group are looking forward to collaborating with you and benefiting from your passion and excellence in all areas of your expertise. Thank you. Meegwetch.

Honourable senators, on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, I am once again delighted that we are welcoming another new senator into this chamber.

Senator Greenwood, your background, as has been well described already, is certainly impressive, and I have no doubt that your experience will be a great asset to the Senate Chamber.

Upon your appointment, the Prime Minister highlighted your “. . . academic expertise, commitment to health and education, and dedication to the well-being of Indigenous communities . . . .” Indeed, these attributes will not only serve you well in the Senate, but they will ensure that those from your home province of British Columbia are well served by your appointment.

Your arrival in this chamber at the beginning of December coincides with the start of one of our busiest times, when we often experience longer days amidst a crunch of legislation to be addressed before the year’s end. While it can be challenging, I’ve also found that it’s often a time when stronger relationships can be forged as we all work together. I know that I speak for all members of the Progressive Senate Group when I say that I look forward to working with you, even as we will be facing some hectic days.

As a former teacher, I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation in particular for all the work you have done with respect to children, and especially Indigenous children. Though we cannot change the past, we can set a new course for the future by the way we treat and raise the next generation. It is an important component in the work towards reconciliation, and I am very grateful for your efforts.

On behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, it is my pleasure to officially welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

Tawâw, Senator Greenwood. We look forward to working with you. Thank you.