Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, we’re finally here. It is the end of 2022, and we are still standing.

When we returned last fall and did so in person, I will admit to missing the option of connecting virtually. That said, it has been so enjoyable to meet in person, grab a coffee — sometimes something a little stronger — and commiserating while we address the problems that confront Canadians and do our best to make things better.

[Translation]

The Senate and Senate committees began sitting more frequently in February, and we are now almost back to normal. Please know that I am grateful for the work that’s been done and the progress that’s been made on studies and legislation.

[English]

To my colleagues in the GRO, your assistance, Senator Gagné and Senator LaBoucane-Benson, is invaluable. I owe you a great debt of gratitude. We are a small but mighty team. We support one another while we share our ideas, our frustrations and a lot of laughter. I’m grateful for your wisdom, commitment and for your friendship.

To the staff in the GRO, it is not an overstatement to say that we three could not function without all that you do for us. Your research, your briefings, how you organize our days and our lives, your advice, the words you sometimes write for us, the outreach that you do to all of you, your day-to-day interventions in preparing us for our responsibilities in this chamber, and for your friendship as well.

[Translation]

Your support is essential to our work and, by extension, to the work of government, in the best interests of Canada. Thank you.

[English]

To my colleagues in leadership, Senators Plett, Saint-Germain, Cordy and Tannas, thank you for the patience that you have shown me and that, frankly, we show one another and that you show to all of us. Our discussions and negotiations are not always easy, but I have never doubted that our debates and our decisions come from the best of places, a place of legitimate concern for Canadians, for this place and a sincere desire to do what is best for the members in your groups, and by extension for the regions that they represent and, of course, for the country as a whole.

[Translation]

We also extend our sincere thanks to the clerks, pages, interpreters, Parliamentary Protective Service officers, reporters, client service officers and Senate Administration staff. This chamber and our committees couldn’t function without your dedication. Thank you so much.

[English]

You all did yeoman’s work during the pandemic and you have been by our side constantly, faithfully as we’ve navigated this past year. You deserve enormous credit and recognition, and I know we all share in that gratitude to you.

Senator Furey, thank you. Thank you for your calmness when it is needed, your firm hand when it is necessary, your wisdom, grace and experience. They have been examples and inspirations for the rest of us. I appreciate them enormously, and I appreciate everything you do for us.

Last but not least, I want to thank my wife, Nancy, who seems to have nothing better to do these days than watch the Senate proceedings. So if you are watching, Nancy, thank you for supporting me through this.

As was said earlier by Dan Christmas, our families bear the burden of the work that we all do on behalf of Canadians, so thank you to my dear wife.

To all of you, I wish you the best for the holiday season and for the new year and, through you, please accept my best wishes to all of your families and friends and all that you hold dear. May you have a healthy, prosperous and meaningful 2023.

Whether we celebrate at churches, synagogues, temples, mosques or just around the family table, I really hope the season is filled with family, friends, love and much-deserved rest. Thank you, all.

Hon. Scott Tannas: Honourable senators, I join my fellow leaders in wishing you the best as we conclude our sittings for 2022. During the last year, a whole lot has happened in Canada. We learned that our recovery from several years of pandemic lockdown, the gradual return to work by Canadians and the restarting of our economy is a process, not a destination.

We began the year with a celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, but this event turned to great sadness with her passing in the fall.

We also experienced tragedy during the stabbing spree in Saskatchewan where we lost 12 innocent souls, and we felt that here together.

This year, we saw the “Freedom Convoy” on the streets of the city for several weeks and at some border crossings. Once the streets were cleared, we engaged in Canada’s third national pastime, after hockey and lacrosse, which is to call a commission of inquiry and watch the proceedings.

We saw elections in some provinces. We saw national and provincial leadership campaigns. We received a visit from the Pope. Canada made it to the World Cup. And we cheered 23 times for Mattea Roach on “Jeopardy.”

I mention these events not just to show that it was an eventful year, but to show that despite the good and the difficult times, we as a country keep moving forward. When we move forward, there is always hope for a better tomorrow. That is something that Canadians are known for. We look to the future with optimism.

It is my wish to you, senators, and to our valued colleagues in the administration, in senators’ offices, in security, in broadcasting and interpretation, the people in this chamber and all others who help us do our work here, that you all have a happy holiday with some peace, joy and well-deserved rest.

On a personal note, I also want to say thank you to my colleagues around the table at leadership. It’s a privilege to work with Senator Plett, Senator Gold, Senator Saint-Germain and Senator Cordy. I want to thank my Canadian Senators Group — CSG — colleagues as well for the support that they provide to me, to my other great CSG leadership colleagues and to each other.

Finally, I want to thank all of you. Today, Senator Dan Christmas spoke of his awe and admiration for everyone in this chamber. I know how he feels. I was crying. I can’t believe I was crying. I thought Senator Plett was the only guy who cried. I realize that Dan and I come from small communities, and small communities are wonderful, but there is a real awe that comes from working with 105 great Canadians. It is truly an honour, one that I’m so glad that Dan reminded us all of today in his humble and authentic way.

With that, I’ll close and say happy holidays. To those of you who know me, aloha, and all the best in 2023. Thank you.