Speaker of the Senate
Speaker’s Statement – Senate of Canada Building
Honourable senators, this being our first day in our new Senate of Canada Building, I would like to begin our proceedings by acknowledging that we are gathered on the traditional territory of the Algonquin people.
Today, senators from across the country are meeting for the first time in the new Senate of Canada, in this magnificent chamber. It is the first time in years that all 105 seats in this chamber have been filled.
Extensive rehabilitation work over the past few years has converted a former train station and Government Conference Centre into a modern Parliament building, one that reflects the history of our institution and the history, indeed, of our country.
Restoring this Ottawa landmark and transforming it into a legislature was no small undertaking. It was an extensive collaboration between multiple partners from all corners of the Parliamentary Precinct. It required an incredible amount of planning, design, testing, hard work and, quite literally, heavy lifting.
I wish to express my appreciation to our colleagues on the Long Term Vision and Plan Subcommittee for providing the insight and direction in the Senate’s move down to Rideau Street.
I would also like to take a moment to recognize and applaud the employees of the Senate Administration, the House Multimedia Services, the Library of Parliament, the Parliamentary Protective Service and, indeed, Public Services and Procurement Canada, who dedicated countless hours to ensuring that our interim chamber would be ready for senators this afternoon.
Colleagues, it will inevitably take some time to settle into our new home. There will be an adjustment period for many of us, especially as we prepare for the first-ever video broadcast of chamber proceedings in the coming weeks. I am confident, however, that our new facilities will further our commitment to serve Canadians, as a chamber of ideas and legislative review, as a bold voice for the regions and minorities, and as a forward-looking institution with the interests of future generations of Canadians uppermost in our minds.
Today marks an important day in the history of the upper chamber. On behalf of everyone who played a role in bringing us to this moment, I welcome you to the new Senate of Canada Building.