Honourable senators, I will be brief.

I first wish to extend my condolences to Mr. Carr’s family. I did not know him at all, but Canada has clearly lost a great public servant.

Bill C-235 has great intentions, as many people have said, and it could potentially spark a new era of cooperation on a vital issue that some would say is existential to the country and the globe. I think that it was authored with that optimism by a Prairie optimist, and there are a lot of us who believe in trial, error, failure, correction and trying again until you succeed. That is what optimists do. Pessimists, they say, have the empty consolation of being right.

I and many of my CSG colleagues were uncomfortable with this process. That would not be a surprise to my leadership colleagues. However, we did not attempt to slow or stop the process to get to a vote today. That said, I remain uncomfortable, and I intend to abstain to signal that discomfort.

We have given this bill priority passage through this chamber for emotional reasons. I think many of us are okay with that. That is certainly my understanding. People are prepared, in this circumstance, to waive something through quickly for personal and emotional reasons. I believe, though, that we need to individually acknowledge that and we need to individually acknowledge our position on the bill. With that, I think we can give a final sign of respect to Mr. Carr as the author and to the Senate as a body that does provide reflection on bills.

We will be asking for a standing vote with the shortest possible bell. Thank you.