Honourable senators, I rise today to join my colleagues in paying tribute to the Honourable Pierre De Bané. He was dedicated to serving Canadians, not only during his time in the Senate, but throughout his career. Like many Canadians, including many of us here in the Senate, Pierre was born outside of Canada. He was a proud francophone Arab who moved to Ottawa with his family when he was 11 years old.

His love for his new country quickly grew. He gave back to the country that welcomed him for the rest of his life.

Colleagues, Pierre made significant contributions to our country. Before becoming a senator in 1984, he was a lawyer, a professor, a five-time member of Parliament and a minister of the Crown. That just scratches the surface.

My own experience was with him as a minister of the Crown. I was a young diplomat in Havana, Cuba, working on my second ministerial visit. The first hadn’t gone so well. The second was with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans who was then coming to visit. Of course, it was Pierre De Bané.

Cuba had been an ally for Canada in NAFO, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, because the nefarious Europeans were already scooping up our fish off the Atlantic coast. This was a ministerial visit of some importance. We had asked for a meeting with President Castro. That meeting took place. It was late at night.

In briefing the minister, I had said, “President Castro is always well prepared; he has all kinds of data and figures in his head.” The minister said, “Don’t worry. I’m not going to ruin your career.” When President Castro asked about the total allowable catch on the Atlantic side, the minister had an answer. President Castro asked about the Pacific, and the minister had an answer as well. The president seemed satisfied. Minister De Bané said, “And you forgot that we also still have a freshwater fishery in Canada.” So point taken by President Fidel Castro at that time. I learned to respect then Minister Pierre De Bané very much for his engagement with a rather tough adversary.

I want to offer my deepest condolences to his wife Elisabeth Nadeau, his son Jean-Manuel De Bané, Marguerite Nadeau and the rest of his family and loved ones.

Thank you.