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Speaker of the Senate

Remarks at the Parliament Building Closing Reception


Your Excellency, Prime Minister, Speaker Regan, Mr. Scheer, Mr. Caron, fellow parliamentarians, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

We are here this evening to mark a new era for Parliament as we bid a temporary farewell to Centre Block.

After 100 years, it is now necessary to close this great building. We must leave it for a period of 10 years so that it can be thoroughly refurbished and restored.

On return the renewed Centre Block will again be ready to serve the men and women, who, as parliamentarians, will debate future issues and challenges that will no doubt face this great experiment we call Canada.

Canadians have a long history of resolving challenges in the certain conviction that working together, we can build a better, more secure and more prosperous future.

Indeed we demonstrated this approach when reconstructing this iconic building after the Great Fire of 1916 and in the midst of the First World War.

The undeniable focus of the new Parliament building is the Peace Tower, which was dedicated in 1927.

It contains the Memorial Chamber, a sacred space and a constant reminder of the grave cost of peace: unparalleled sacrifice, dedicated service and devoted love of country.

It is a reminder that it is people and events that make history, and this building has been Canada’s nexus to both.

It was here, in this cradle of democracy, that parliamentarians considered issues that have shaped who we are today.

It was through deliberations that occurred here that Canada achieved full nationhood; that it determined to participate in global alliances to combat tyranny, and to build a durable peace based on the rule of law and the recognition of human rights.

It was here in the House of Commons and the Senate that we adopted laws that confirmed our identity as a nation, with French and English as our official languages.

It was here that we committed to the promotion of a multicultural and pluralistic society; even as we continue to address and redress the shameful treatment of our fellow Indigenous citizens.

And it was here that our Constitution found its true home, with our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  

In this magnificent building and along these spacious corridors walked the men and women who played their part as parliamentarians. 

Ordinary citizens in many ways, except they possessed an unfaltering desire to serve, to make a difference in promoting the welfare of our people and building the future of our country.

All are as much a part of the history of the Centre Block as the stone, marble and carved wood that adorn this beautiful building.

And it has seen its share of memorable visitors. 

These hallowed walls echo with the fighting words of Winston Churchill in the dark days of 1941;

With the inspiring vision of Nelson Mandela just 4 months after release from nearly thirty years of imprisonment;

And more recently, with the quiet wisdom of an extraordinary young woman named Malala.

Within these walls we continue to debate issues reflecting the challenges of our time : from medically assisted dying, to protecting the rights of minorities, to that stark challenge of our modern era : climate change.

Over the course of the next ten years as the sounds of construction replace the sounds of debate, we will carry on our duty to Canadians.

With current and former parliamentarians, I am convinced that during our time in our temporary Chambers, we will continue to fulfill our duty to the people of our great country Canada.

In honour of our predecessors, and with respect for our fellow citizens, and in a sacred pledge to the future, we must do no less.

Thank you.

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