Speech from the Throne

Honourable senators, we often use the responses to the Speech from the Throne to talk about things that are important to us. Senator Patterson has often spoken about the North, and we have had other excellent speeches.

Colleagues, in my response to the Speech from the Throne, I would like to speak about something that’s important to me, and that is a very important initiative, the Canadian Cancer Society’s Plaid for Dad campaign. The most common form of cancer in men is prostate cancer, and this important initiative, the Plaid for Dad campaign, is raising funds for prostate cancer research. The Canadian Cancer Society is counting on thousands of individuals in workplaces across Canada to go plaid through donations, other fundraising activities and events.

The Friday before Father’s Day, June 19, 2020, is officially designated as the day to wear plaid for dad. Participants will show photos online using #PlaidForDad! to show their support and help spread the word.

Since 2015, the Plaid for Dad campaign has continued to solidify itself as the way Canadians choose to give back each Father’s Day weekend. The number of Canadians who wear plaid raise awareness of prostate cancer and raise funds for prostate cancer research. That keeps growing.

To show the significance of this initiative, I would like to share with colleagues the results of a survey conducted last year by the Canadian Cancer Society: Half of Canadians know someone who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, be it a family member, a friend or a colleague. One in five has been closely affected by prostate cancer, meaning they have been diagnosed or have a father or a brother who has been diagnosed. Three quarters know that prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. One third know that 50 to 59 years old is the recommended age for the first PSA test, and the survival rate, colleagues, is close to 100% if there is early diagnosis.

Canadian workplaces and individuals will continue this year to designate the Friday before Father’s Day as the day to wear plaid for dad in support of one in seven Canadian men who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Friday is that day.

Given our new reality caused by COVID-19, our places of work look different this year, but Canadians across the country, including us, honourable colleagues, can still go plaid together on Friday. Now more than ever, the Plaid for Dad campaign provides a meaningful way to connect with Canadians over an important cause.

The event has been updated to work for those who are working remotely, and the Canadian Cancer Society is providing all the tools Canadians need to run a fun and easy campaign. I encourage all of you, and indeed all Canadians, to get inspired alongside our plaid for dad ambassadors, fellow Newfoundlander and Labradorian and friend Mark Critch and Canadian actor Eric McCormack and to join in this important initiative.

Honourable colleagues, I urge all of you, as well as all Canadians, to wear plaid for dad tomorrow, June 19, and share photos online using #PlaidForDad! to show your support and help spread the word. Thank you.