SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Expressions of Good Wishes for the Season
December 17, 2024
Honourable senators:
’Twas months before Christmas when all through the House
MPs were idle and, boy, did they grouse.
A vote of non-confidence the Cons did propose
Haven’t we had enough of those?
The NDP had torn up their deal with the Liberal brass,
But the Bloc wanted to deliver the coup de grâce.
Pierre did bluster and Pierre did blow.
Jagmeet responded with “I’m right here, bro.”
As for Justin, his numbers fell to a new low.
His response was to appear on a late-night show.
Senators were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of government bills danced in their heads.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my seat to see what was the matter.
Away to the scrolls, I flew like a flash,
Flipped through the pages for bills we could hash.
When what to my wondering eyes did appear
But a host of PMBs from the House — oh dear!
With a new Clerk so lively and Gaia
I knew in a moment she must be Shaila.
More rapid than eagles, the numbers they came
As she whistled and shouted and called them by name:
“Now fruits, now veg, now biosecurity!
Err, are you sure we have reciprocity?
On, chickens! On, turkeys! On, eggs and dairy!
Let’s not debate supply management, shall we?
To the top of the Order Paper! To the top of our call!
Now dash away, dash away, dash away, all!”
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the top the private bills flew
With speeches and votes and lots of bells, too.
And so it was that we were sent to work
Filling stockings with a sigh and a shirk.
We gave out candy, diapers and KFC
Because on these, there was no GST.
St. Nick, his eyes — how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow.
He said tariffs are coming, ’tis most malapropos.
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight:
“Don’t you dare use the “Notwithstanding” Clause — that’s my name. Good night!”
Honourable senators, I was hoping I would not be called upon after Senator Woo, but here we are.
As we end the fall sitting of Parliament, it is time to highlight a few issues. We live in turbulent times in Parliament, in Canada, in North America and around the world. There is a mix of dynamics in the economy and society. Inflation is down from a high of 8.1% two years ago to 2% today. Our debt-to-GDP ratio is around 20%, the lowest in the G7 countries. The deficit for the previous fiscal year was set at a high of $62 billion, as announced in the Fall Economic Statement yesterday, while it is expected to be $48 billion in the current fiscal year. Our projected growth is 2.25%, the highest among the G7 countries. The immigration system, I hope, is moving from out of control to under control.
The Bank of Canada rate was just further reduced to 3.25% last week — a recognition that the fundamentals of our economy are sound. However, the cost of living remains high for too many Canadians. Prices have not come down, while wages have kept pace. Urban crime appears to be on the rise. The unemployment rate has been creeping up in recent months, and it now sits at 6.8%.
While the climate crisis is growing, not enough consensus exists either in Canada or worldwide. The pushback on equality is growing, with worrying backlash against DEI and ESG. I don’t have time to spell out those acronyms, but please look them up.
The most recent threat comes from our neighbours to the south. We worked with President Trump in his first term, and there is no reason to believe that we will not rise to the challenge this time.
My last thought is that senators should get ready to get out and meet our federal and state counterparts in the United States as much as we can in the four years ahead. Team Canada needs us. There will be many challenges ahead, so let’s get ready. As my late mother would say to me, “Pull up your socks, stand up straight and speak clearly.”
Dear colleagues, I wish you all a happy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and new year. Thank you.
Honourable senators, I rise today to offer a moment of reflection as we enter this holiday season.
I invite you to join with me in expressing gratitude to every member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Canada’s veterans and all of their families. This holiday season, a number of members of the Canadian Armed Forces will be away from their families in locations across the country and around the world, defending the values Canadians hold so dear.
I also want to send holiday wishes to the brave Ukrainian soldiers fighting against the illegal Russian aggression and to the Ukrainian children whose wish is for St. Nicholas to bring their parents’ home safely. We want that for you and for victory in Ukraine, on your own terms, in the new year.
Ongoing global conflicts, such as Russia’s illegal and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, remind us that Canada’s sovereignty, peace and democracy remain a collective effort worth defending — one that we all must keep in mind and within our hearts no matter what. Nefarious actors, both at home and abroad, want to see Canadians divided. Sadly, misinformation and disinformation are spreading, undermining the very trust that Canadians have in democracy.
When you gather with your loved ones this season, take time to engage and respectfully exchange ideas about what it means to be Canadian and why our values are worth protecting, because we cannot let fear, hatred and division succeed.
Colleagues, please cherish your time with your loved ones this holiday season and keep Canada’s veterans, the members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families in your thoughts.
To the members of the Canadian Armed Forces, thank you. Thank you for defending our freedom, and thank you for the sacrifice of being away from your families at this time of year. I thank not only you, our serving members, but also your families and significant others who support you every step of the way.
Have a wonderful holiday season, and best wishes for a safe and secure new year.
