Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question.

If I understood one aspect of the question, allow me to correct the record. The contract to which you refer, Senator Plett, which is going to be “sunsetting,” as you said, in 77 years, or something like that, is not a contract at all; it’s a supply arrangement. It doesn’t guarantee any monetary arrangement. It is simply a pre‑selection of supply. Hundreds of suppliers have arrangements of that kind. It’s a long-standing government practice that aims to expedite the procurement process.

I could go on, but I’ll turn to the other aspects of your question.

Indeed, lots of contracts with McKinsey and others have been undertaken by this government. Such services are used to complement the services of our very able and professional public service. They meet unexpected fluctuations in human resources and workload or, as is often the case, where special expertise is required, and it would be imprudent to bring on new full-time employees for work that has a more fixed timeline.

As we know, colleagues, the Prime Minister has asked Minister Jaczek and Minister Fortier to review the matter, take a closer look into the numbers and look into the circumstances of all those contracts. The government is looking at this matter to make sure that everything was done in the right way.

I understand that the focus of the Treasury Board rests on the policy underlying the granting of such consultancy contracts, while PSPC — Public Services and Procurement Canada — will focus on the circumstances surrounding those contracts. The government looks forward to the results of those inquiries and to sharing that with the public.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, with mixed feelings, I rise today to pay tribute to our cherished colleague Senator Dennis Dawson and to welcome his family here to share this day.

As you know, Senator Dawson first arrived on Parliament Hill at the young age of 27. He was one of the youngest MPs to ever sit in the other place. For nearly half a century now, he has been making the trip from Quebec City to Ottawa. That’s a lot of mileage to have put in.

[Translation]

Senator Dawson arrived in the Senate after a successful political career. For a time, he served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and to the Minister of Employment and Immigration. He also chaired the Quebec Liberal Caucus. After becoming a senator, he continued his hard work by serving as a long-standing member of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He also served as a member of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians and chaired the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications.

[English]

As you all know, Senator Dawson also sponsored many important pieces of legislation, indeed quite recently, but I want to underline the role he played in Bill C-76, which modernized the Canada Elections Act. Several measures of that act were taken from a Senate public bill that he had previously tabled.

This was important work for Canadian democracy. The 2018 changes to the Elections Act not only made future elections more secure and transparent, but also made elections more accessible. To cite just one example, it reintroduced the voter information card as a valid piece of identification, and this is a form of ID that Canadians count on.

As you know, Senator Dawson has been a strong advocate of francophone linguistic and cultural rights, and an abiding champion of LGBTQ2 rights and women’s rights. But, again, as we all know, his legacy as a senator extends beyond lawmaking and beyond advocacy.

Senator Dawson has been a mentor to many staffers who have gone on to make their own unique contributions to public service. Recently, when the Senate introduced legislation to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, in Bill S-5, I had the opportunity of working with a former student of the “School of Dawson,” who now works in Minister Guilbeault’s office.

Dennis, she did a fantastic job. It’s to your credit — and hers, of course — but thank you.

[Translation]

Perhaps you envisioned a Senate reform that was different from the one the Prime Minister presented in 2015. You were very frank and open in that regard, but I admire the way you set aside your personal vision and did everything you could to support the new system. That shows your generosity of spirit and commitment to the common good.

Once again, that is to your credit.

[English]

Your devotion to Parliament has been longstanding, your contributions to Canadian political life too plentiful to list today and your friendship to me and to so many others, very valuable. The Senate is a far better place, Dennis, for your many years of service.

I’m going to miss you. I’m going to miss being regaled by your stories at the Métropolitain. In your dapper ways, you’re just always fun to see and to be with.

[Translation]

My friend, I wish you happiness in this next chapter of your life. Thank you so much.