Honourable senators, I have the great honour to pay tribute to someone I consider to be a beloved colleague, a dear friend and, most importantly, an eminent Canadian. An eminent Canadian indeed, Senator Omidvar is a recipient of the Order of Ontario, a member of the Order of Canada and an awardee of the cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany as well as honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Toronto Metropolitan University and York University.

You will all agree, colleagues, that that is quite the series of accomplishments. It is no wonder why she was selected as part of the first cohort of independent senators to lead the way for Senate reform in April 2016.

Before her distinguished career and all her accomplishments, Senator Omidvar first came to Canada in the early 1980s. She experienced, as she herself described, hardships in “. . . displacement and integration . . . .” Those experiences shaped her into the person we all know: a dedicated defender of the rights of migrants, refugees and newcomers to Canada. A true champion for diversity, she always stood strong to make Canada a more welcoming and caring place. At a time when the rule of law is in disarray for people seeking refuge all over the world, the leadership and guidance of Senator Omidvar is truly invaluable.

Before coming to this institution, Senator Omidvar stood out and made her mark as an intellectual, an academic and an active member of her community. As a senator, not only was she able to find her calling, but she also had impressive successes, the likes of which only a few have been able to achieve. This is due to her determination, her ability to negotiate and work with colleagues and her passion for public policy for the greater good of the country.

During all her time in the Senate, she projected leadership and confidence and she was an outstanding parliamentarian, but, most importantly, she did it her way.

In an interview a few months after her appointment, Senator Omidvar was asked why she was proud to be Canadian. Let me quote her response:

I was born into one passport, married into another, but my Canadian passport was my full choice, and the one I worked the hardest to get. This country has given me its protection and its opportunities. In return, I am committed to making it a better and better place so that it continues to be a land of protection and opportunity for future Canadians.

Senator Omidvar, all those who have followed your actions in the Senate have no doubt that you made Canada a better place.

Ratna, in my name and in the names of all the senators from the Independent Senators Group — your group — we thank you, we congratulate you and we wish you all the best, knowing that this is only the start of a new beginning and that we will still hear your voice.

Thank you, meegwetch.

Honourable senators, it is my privilege to rise today on behalf of the Government Representative Office to pay tribute to our retiring colleague Ratna Omidvar.

It will be of no surprise to us here in the chamber to learn that Senator Omidvar has been working toward the betterment of our country since her arrival in Canada in 1981. Her very first job opportunity in Canada was with St. Stephen’s Community House in Toronto, a community-based social service agency focused on poverty reduction, food insecurity, homelessness, unemployment, isolation, conflict and violence, AIDS, racism, youth alienation and the integration of refugees and immigrants — a modest “plate” of issues, all of which are critical.

Her work to better our country did not stop there. She served in numerous roles, including as president of Maytree, where Ratna took on a lead role in efforts to promote the integration of immigrants. She was recognized for that work by becoming a recipient of the Order of Ontario in 2005 and being named a member of the Order of Canada in 2011.

Since her appointment to this chamber, Senator Omidvar has been a fierce advocate for migration, diversity and inclusion. Just a few short months after joining this chamber, Senator Omidvar got to work, deftly sponsoring and ultimately passing Bill C-6 which amended the Citizenship Act. Ratna, all of us here have greatly benefited from the expertise, experience and compassion that you have brought to so many important debates.

On a personal level, as many of you know, we worked together for some years in the Independent Senators Group and, at times, even in some leadership positions together. You were a great colleague, and I miss those days.

Senator Saint-Germain didn’t steal my thunder but captured the devotion to your country in the quote that she offered from your interview. It really does capture your devotion to Canada and its people.

Ratna, after a long career of public service, you have no doubt succeeded in making this country a better place for all Canadians, and I cannot wait to see lies ahead as you open this next chapter in your work. Once again, on behalf of the Government Representative Office, congratulations and happy retirement.

Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to our colleague, the Honourable Ratna Omidvar, as she prepares to take her retirement from the Senate of Canada on November 5, 2024.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of getting to know Senator Omidvar, working closely with her on various issues and initiatives dear to both our hearts. From being on the Special Committee on the Charitable Sector and as deputy leader and legislative deputy at scroll to being sponsor and critic, and vice versa, of several bills, we have worked together to support our colleagues and benefit Canadians.

Prior to her work as a senator, Ratna was a visiting professor at Ryerson University and founded the Global Diversity Exchange. She was president of Maytree, director at the Century Initiative and a councillor on the World Refugee & Migration Council to name some of the many fields of work and organizations that Senator Omidvar has dedicated her time and expertise.

In April 2016, Ratna Omidvar was appointed to the Senate of Canada to serve the province of Ontario. As a respected and knowledgeable voice on migration, diversity and inclusion, Senator Omidvar was an advocate in the Senate Chamber on various pieces of legislation and has served with distinction as Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology and Deputy Chair of the Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector.

I would also like to acknowledge Senator Omidvar’s family for their love and support throughout her years as a senator. Thank you.

Senator Omidvar, thank you for your dedication and service to the Senate and to Canada. On behalf of the Conservative caucus, please accept our best wishes as you end this memorable journey and embark on the next one.

Honourable senators, I’m pleased to rise on behalf of the independent senators of the Progressive Senate Group to pay tribute to our colleague, Ratna Omidvar.

Our colleague is a defender of human rights around the world, and a leader on Canadian immigration, multiculturalism and charitable sector policies. Senator Omidvar was one of the first seven senators appointed in 2016 as independent under the new arm’s-length process.

Early on, she sponsored government Bill C-6 that brought changes to the Citizenship Act, which repealed some of the previous government’s barriers to citizenship. This was the bill famous for the principle that “A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian.”

With Bill C-6, Senator Omidvar supported a major amendment to provide an appeal mechanism to a person facing citizenship revocation on the grounds of fraud or false representation. The amendment was adopted by this chamber and accepted by the House of Commons. The change became one of the more independent Senate’s first major policy achievements.

Personally, I was honoured to collaborate with Senator Omidvar on Parliament’s award of honorary citizenship to the recently freed Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza, as well as the Senate’s call for the release from prison of Jimmy Lai, a hero for democracy in Hong Kong.

Senator Omidvar has also sponsored several Senate public bills. Two of these prompted the government’s improvements in 2022 to our laws for the charitable sector and for freezing assets around foreign human rights abusers. As well, Senator Omidvar has served as chair of our very important Social Affairs Committee with great leadership.

She has rightly received many honours, which the previous senators have referred to, for her contributions to Canada and Ontario. Recently, she received the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, but what impressed me the most is what I saw when I was lining up at my RBC branch in 2018.

I was waiting in line and I saw her photograph on the screen. I said, “I know that person. It is my colleague in the Senate. I’ve been there for a year.” I started watching, and then came the chyron saying that she had been named one of RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2018, so congratulations. Even in my local branch, you are there.

With Senator Omidvar’s retirement, we lose a leader on many issues, but her legacy — and, we hope, her advice — will continue to guide us. Ratna, we will miss you, and we wish you all the best in your next chapter.

Thank you. Meegwetch.