Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain: Honourable senators, I also want to pay tribute to a colleague and friend.

Dear Dennis, I would have preferred to give this speech in September 2024, because according to your date of birth, your departure is premature. However, in years of political life, you are part of an elite club of parliamentarians who have lived — although the better word is probably survived — on the Hill for such a long time.

Having won the seat for Louis-Hébert in 1977 at the age of 27, he was the youngest MP in the House of Commons. He earned a number of firsts since then, as my colleagues have mentioned. Of note, he is the only parliamentarian in this chamber to have worked under both Prime Ministers Trudeau.

This clearly demonstrates the breadth of his experience and the scope of his institutional memory, a memory that has helped us on countless occasions to better understand sometimes a context, sometimes the reasons for certain decisions, certain rules. We will sorely miss this memory.

[English]

If I had to describe Senator Dawson, it would be as a connector, someone with charisma, people skills and an innate sense of communication as well as human relations. If you ever met Dennis outside of Parliament, you would notice that he is very rarely alone — actually, he is never alone. He is always surrounded, always deep in a conversation. I even noticed there is a table at the Château Laurier — one right in the centre of the action — where nobody dares to sit unless he is there, fearing to take Senator Dawson’s place.

His international parliamentary network is remarkable. In his years as a parliamentarian, he deeply contributed to strengthening Canadian interparliamentary diplomacy. I personally have noticed how respected, esteemed and cherished he is by so many members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Adored by all his current and former employees, he is also known as one of the best people to work for on the Hill.

Apart from those qualities, Dennis is first and foremost a family man. We only have to take a peek at his iPad wallpaper, which always has the most recent picture of his first granddaughter, June Dawson, to know that his family is always on his mind.

He is also very devoted and loyal to his political family. Senator Dawson has never shied away from that fact. Never mind election results, leadership changes or institutional reforms, he is and always will be a proud Liberal.

[Translation]

Dennis, please know that my sadness in seeing you leave the Senate today is mitigated by the knowledge that I am not losing the friend I have known for years, the man with such a charming sense of humour — no, not Senator Dawson, but Dennis, Anne’s husband and father to Cindy, Kathryn-Anne and Julian, whom I wish to acknowledge today, and, of course, grandfather to June.

On behalf of all the members of the Independent Senators Group, I wish you much happiness in your retirement. I can only imagine that you will be very active and well taken care of elsewhere and otherwise.

See you soon, my friend.

Thank you. Meegwetch

[English]

Hon. Dennis Glen Patterson: Honourable senators, it is my pleasure and honour to rise today to give tribute, on behalf of the Canadian Senators Group, to Senator Dennis Dawson.

Through the years, we have sometimes fondly referred to each other as “the other Dennis.” You know how we are all inclined to perk up and listen when someone calls our names. Invariably, when my name was called and I looked up, it was disappointingly for the other Dennis, who is very active, busy and a hard-working senator.

Senator Dawson is a man who has built his career on service to others. There has been reference made to his five years as a school trustee for the school board in Quebec before becoming a young and then long-time member of Parliament, representing the riding of Louis-Hébert. There was also his service as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and later the Minister of Employment and Immigration. He was appointed to he Senate in 2005, making him currently one of our longest‑serving senators. His experience and corporate memory will be missed.

His departure from this chamber will be the loss of a strong and opinionated — sometimes slightly partisan — voice that has always worked tirelessly on behalf of Quebecers and Canadians.

While our politics have not always lined up, I have the greatest respect for how you have worked diligently in the service of the public, forcefully and doggedly defending your convictions.

I should have worn a bow tie today in tribute to you, Senator Dawson. I actually have a sealskin bow tie I should have worn. In that connection, Senator Dawson — and this may be my last opportunity to ask you in this chamber — maybe in your reply you can tell us this: Do you hand-tie all those beautiful, stylish bow ties we will miss seeing?

Best of luck to you, senator, as you move on to your next exciting chapter in life. Thank you.