Honourable senators, I rise with pleasure today to support Bill C-210, an act to amend the National Anthem Act (gender). As you are aware, since 1984, there have been many attempts to change O Canada in order to include women. In 2002 and again in 2003, Senator Poy sought to have the Senate pass Bills S-39 and S-3. These bills were debated at length by this chamber and studied by the Social Affairs Committee, which produced a favourable report without amendment.

I would be remiss if I did not recognize the extraordinary work of the late Mauril Bélanger. We are all indebted to him for his great determination in this matter. Despite his illness, he continued his efforts to correct what he considered to be an anomaly and injustice in one of our most powerful symbols. I would also like to acknowledge the thorough presentations of Senators Nancy Ruth, Munson, Omidvar, Tardif and Cools. They each made relevant, insightful arguments. They provided me with all the necessary legal, ideological, and historical information to unreservedly support this bill in good conscience. For that I thank you, dear colleagues. Some will say that it has all been said.

Still, I wanted to add my voice to this debate because, as you may guess, Bill C-210 is deeply personal to me as a woman, of course, but also as a former athlete. This will be no surprise to you, but athletes have a very special relationship with our national anthem. I myself will never forget the very first time I won a gold medal. You have the performance of a lifetime; your heart is still going over 200 beats a minute. As you are on the highest step of the podium, they slowly raise the Canadian flag and play your anthem. With great pride and emotion, you can't help but raise your head a tiny bit and sing O Canada! Honourable senators, it doesn't get much better than that. It is truly a unique experience.

Last week, after Senator Tardif spoke so well, I was back in my office reflecting on this bill, its history and its possible future. I'm not sure why but this is what I did: Looking at the Canadian flag in my office, I visualized how it was to be on those podiums the 14 times I was privileged to be there and have O Canada! sung for me. I started singing — not too loud, lucky for my neighbours — but with the proposed version.

When I pronounced the words "in all of us command," I was covered with goosebumps, and I got really emotional. That's when I knew, not just in my head but deep in my heart, that this bill is the right thing to do.

Our national anthem has the power to unite us, inspire us and empower us. By making O Canada! gender-neutral, not only do we show no disrespect or betrayal to our history, but it is the most amazing gift, message and symbol we can offer to all Canadians — boys and girls, women and men — for generations to come. We can make that happen.

That is why I support Bill C-210, and I invite all honourable senators to do likewise. Thank you very much.

Some Hon. members: Hear, hear!