Meet Senator Dennis Patterson
Who inspired you to get involved in public life?
Ged Baldwin was a country lawyer from Peace River, Alberta, who was recognized, in his day, as a parliamentary statesman. As a young man, I met him and was impressed with his impact as a backbench MP representing the remote and rural Peace River riding.
What do you think are the biggest public policy issues facing Canada today?
Finding the correct balance between environmental protection and the development of Canada’s rich natural resources.
Finding ways to remove impediments to the orderly development of Canada’s rich natural resources, including developing new pipelines to safely transport and export oil, and finding ways to counter the anti-development influences of foreign-funded campaigns.
Restoring respectful and functional relationships between governments and Indigenous peoples in Canada, including giving Indigenous people a meaningful voice in the regulatory process and a share of resource revenues.
Why should Canadians care about the Senate?
The Senate ensures that the voices of all regions of Canada are heard in Parliament, especially where the results of partisan elections eliminate representations for some regions of Canada within the governing party.
The Senate of Canada has made, and continues to make, important contributions on timely and relevant public policy issues such as removing the stigma around mental health (the Kirby Report), Keeping the Keepers — the Senate Fisheries committee’s successful report recommending the retention of the last remote lighthouse keepers on the east and west coasts — and the Aboriginal Peoples committee's reports on First Nations education and housing.
The Senate’s less partisan character has provided an important check on the sometimes less-than-ideal legislation or committee studies originating in the House of Commons, which can be skewed by excessive partisanship. The Senate’s record since Confederation shows the need for “sober second thought.”
What legislative or committee work are you most proud of?
The first committee study I participated in: The fisheries committee study on the role of lighthouse keepers on Canada’s remote east and west coasts, which resulted in the Government of Canada accepting our recommendations to “Keep the Keepers” — despite the recommendations of the Coast Guard to de-staff and automate those remote lighthouses.
I was also privileged to be the sponsor of Bill C-45 in the 41st Parliament, which implemented a long awaited transfer of authority for managing lands and resources in the Northwest Territories from the federal to the territorial government. This bill was not just about giving northern residents the primary voice in development decisions on their lands. It also represented nation building, and the political and constitutional development of the territories: Giving territorial residents the same rights to manage their natural resources as those enjoyed by residents of provinces elsewhere in Canada.
What are some hidden gems in your region?
The splendour of the aurora borealis lighting up midwinter skies, the thrill of experiencing the midnight sun in summer.
Name a guilty pleasure song that always makes you smile.
All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor.
What is the last book you read or movie you saw that you recommended to someone?
I recommended Senator Nick Sibbeston's book You Will Wear a White Shirt because it provides a history of the political development of the Northwest Territories and because it is truly a tell-all book that courageously does “tell all…”
Why are you proud to be Canadian?
I am proud that we, as Canadians, have preserved our identity and our national pride despite being dwarfed by a much larger neighbour, and that we have in particular preserved universal health care, eschewed the right to bear arms, and cultivated a universal reputation for politeness and respect.
How do you relieve stress in your life?
Playing squash and imagining political detractors to be the squash ball or retreating to wilderness on the shores of the Meta Incognita Peninsula on Frobisher Bay.
Note to readers: The Honourable Dennis Glen Patterson retired from the Senate of Canada in December 2023. Learn more about his work in Parliament.
Related articles
Tags
Committee news
Meet Senator Dennis Patterson
Who inspired you to get involved in public life?
Ged Baldwin was a country lawyer from Peace River, Alberta, who was recognized, in his day, as a parliamentary statesman. As a young man, I met him and was impressed with his impact as a backbench MP representing the remote and rural Peace River riding.
What do you think are the biggest public policy issues facing Canada today?
Finding the correct balance between environmental protection and the development of Canada’s rich natural resources.
Finding ways to remove impediments to the orderly development of Canada’s rich natural resources, including developing new pipelines to safely transport and export oil, and finding ways to counter the anti-development influences of foreign-funded campaigns.
Restoring respectful and functional relationships between governments and Indigenous peoples in Canada, including giving Indigenous people a meaningful voice in the regulatory process and a share of resource revenues.
Why should Canadians care about the Senate?
The Senate ensures that the voices of all regions of Canada are heard in Parliament, especially where the results of partisan elections eliminate representations for some regions of Canada within the governing party.
The Senate of Canada has made, and continues to make, important contributions on timely and relevant public policy issues such as removing the stigma around mental health (the Kirby Report), Keeping the Keepers — the Senate Fisheries committee’s successful report recommending the retention of the last remote lighthouse keepers on the east and west coasts — and the Aboriginal Peoples committee's reports on First Nations education and housing.
The Senate’s less partisan character has provided an important check on the sometimes less-than-ideal legislation or committee studies originating in the House of Commons, which can be skewed by excessive partisanship. The Senate’s record since Confederation shows the need for “sober second thought.”
What legislative or committee work are you most proud of?
The first committee study I participated in: The fisheries committee study on the role of lighthouse keepers on Canada’s remote east and west coasts, which resulted in the Government of Canada accepting our recommendations to “Keep the Keepers” — despite the recommendations of the Coast Guard to de-staff and automate those remote lighthouses.
I was also privileged to be the sponsor of Bill C-45 in the 41st Parliament, which implemented a long awaited transfer of authority for managing lands and resources in the Northwest Territories from the federal to the territorial government. This bill was not just about giving northern residents the primary voice in development decisions on their lands. It also represented nation building, and the political and constitutional development of the territories: Giving territorial residents the same rights to manage their natural resources as those enjoyed by residents of provinces elsewhere in Canada.
What are some hidden gems in your region?
The splendour of the aurora borealis lighting up midwinter skies, the thrill of experiencing the midnight sun in summer.
Name a guilty pleasure song that always makes you smile.
All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor.
What is the last book you read or movie you saw that you recommended to someone?
I recommended Senator Nick Sibbeston's book You Will Wear a White Shirt because it provides a history of the political development of the Northwest Territories and because it is truly a tell-all book that courageously does “tell all…”
Why are you proud to be Canadian?
I am proud that we, as Canadians, have preserved our identity and our national pride despite being dwarfed by a much larger neighbour, and that we have in particular preserved universal health care, eschewed the right to bear arms, and cultivated a universal reputation for politeness and respect.
How do you relieve stress in your life?
Playing squash and imagining political detractors to be the squash ball or retreating to wilderness on the shores of the Meta Incognita Peninsula on Frobisher Bay.
Note to readers: The Honourable Dennis Glen Patterson retired from the Senate of Canada in December 2023. Learn more about his work in Parliament.