THE SENATE
Thursday, December 3, 2015
FORTY-SECOND PARLIAMENT
OPENING OF FIRST SESSION
Parliament having been summoned by proclamation to meet this day for the dispatch of business:
Speaker of the Senate
Commission Appointing Honourable George J. Furey
The Honourable George J. Furey, having taken the Clerk's chair, rose and informed the Senate that a Commission had been issued under the Great Seal of Canada, appointing him Speaker of the Senate.
The said Commission was then read by the Clerk.
The Hon. the Speaker then took the chair at the foot of the Throne, to which he was conducted by the Honourable Claude Carignan, P.C., and the Honourable James S. Cowan, the Usher of the Black Rod preceding.
Prayers.
The Hon. the Speaker: Thank you, colleagues; thank you for such a warm welcome.
Honourable senators, our esteemed former Speaker, the Honourable Pierre Claude Nolin, began to speak very briefly to this chamber before he took his place in the chair. My honourable predecessor, Senator Housakos, continued this practice. With your permission and indulgence, allow me, please, to say a few brief words.
I am deeply honoured to have received this appointment from the Governor General, His Excellency David Johnston, and I thank the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, for his confidence in me. I will strive to be worthy of that confidence and I will equally strive to gain your respect and your confidence.
Colleagues, our chamber is at a crossroads. We have an opportunity to work together to recreate how this chamber of the Parliament of Canada does its work for Canadians. Truly, we are entering uncharted waters in which we are invited by the government to reinvent ourselves in a less partisan way and fulfill our role, as envisioned under the Constitution, as an independent chamber of sober second thought.
I know uncertainty can be unsettling, but I have confidence that working together, with respect and commitment to this institution, we can meet the challenges ahead. I have worked closely in the past with my predecessor, Senator Housakos, and he has graciously assured me this morning that that work will continue.
I am confident that as we face these opportunities and challenges together, we can make the Senate work for Canadians in a way that fully realizes the intent of our nation's founders.
Thank you, colleagues.
Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!
Prayers.
Communication from Government House
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform you that I have received the following communication from Government House, which reads as follows:
RIDEAU HALL
November 30, 2015
Mr. Speaker:
I am commanded to inform you that the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, in her capacity as Deputy of the Governor General, will proceed to the Chamber of the Senate to open the First Session of the Forty- Second Parliament of Canada at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, the 3rd day of December, 2015.
Yours sincerely,
Stephen Wallace
Secretary to the Governor GeneralThe Honourable
The Speaker of the Senate
Ottawa
(The Senate adjourned during pleasure.)
(1300)
At 1 p.m., the sitting was resumed, and was then adjourned, pending the arrival of the Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General.
The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General, having come and being seated at the foot of the Throne,
The Hon. the Speaker commanded the Usher of the Black Rod to proceed to the House of Commons and acquaint that House that it is the desire of the Right Honourable the Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General that they attend her immediately in the Senate Chamber.
(1310)
Who being come,
The Hon. the Speaker said:
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
I have it in command to let you know that His Excellency the Governor General does not see fit to declare the causes of his summoning the present Parliament of Canada, until a Speaker of the House of Commons shall have been chosen, according to law; but tomorrow, Friday, December 4, 2015 at the hour of 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon, His Excellency will declare the causes of his calling Parliament.
The House of Commons withdrew.
The Right Honourable the Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General was pleased to retire.
(1320)
(The sitting of the Senate was resumed.)
Communication from Government House
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform you that I have received the following communication from Government House, which reads as follows:
RIDEAU HALL
November 30, 2015
Mr. Speaker:
I have the honour to inform you that His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada and Her Excellency Sharon Johnston will arrive at the Peace Tower at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, the 4th day of December, 2015.
When it has been indicated that all is in readiness, Their Excellencies will proceed to the Chamber of the Senate to formally open the First Session of the Forty-Second Parliament of Canada.
Yours sincerely,
Stephen Wallace
Secretary to the Governor GeneralThe Honourable
Speaker of the Senate
Ottawa
[Translation]
SENATOR'S STATEMENT
The Honourable George J. Furey
Congratulations on Appointment as Speaker
Hon. Claudette Tardif (Acting Deputy Leader of the Senate Liberals): Honourable senators, before moving the adjournment motion, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our new Speaker, the Honourable George Furey. I am confident that our Speaker will promote the fundamental values of our institution within our parliamentary system and will shine a light on the crucial role played by the Senate so that it meets the expectations of all Canadians.
Adjournment
Hon. Claudette Tardif (Acting Deputy Leader of the Senate Liberals): Honourable senators, I move:
That the Senate do now adjourn until tomorrow, Friday, December 4, 2015, at 2:30 p.m.
(Motion agreed to.)
(The Senate adjourned until Friday, December 4, 2015, at 2:30 p.m.)