Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I also rise today to pay tribute to our colleague Senator Dan Christmas. As has already been said, the Honourable Dan Christmas was the first Mi’kmaq member to be appointed to the upper chamber six years ago.

Colleagues, as Senator LaBoucane-Benson has already said, I’m most familiar with the work that Senator Christmas did in his role as Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples during the study of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, or UNDRIP.

Senator Christmas, I must say that the way you conducted the debates impressed me and all of us. You were steady; you were fair. As Leader of the Opposition, I appreciated that.

Colleagues, I want to share a story with you: A few years ago, not long after Senator Christmas was appointed to the upper chamber, I happened to be travelling in Cape Breton. I was there to watch some curling. Now, as I often do, I had a great conversation with my cab driver as he was driving me to my hotel.

I recall our conversation well. As all good Canadians, we began to chat about the weather, and why I was in Cape Breton, but our conversation quickly took an interesting turn when the cab driver asked me what I did for a living. I said I was a senator from Manitoba.

Well, colleagues, let me tell you, this spiked his interest. It was quite a remarkable moment. The reaction was sudden. I was suddenly distinguished and famous, but not because I was a senator. Why? Well, the first thing that the driver asked me was, “Do you know Senator Dan Christmas?” When I acknowledged that I, in fact, did, that is all that he wanted to talk about the rest of the way to the hotel — telling me what a great individual Dan Christmas was, and a great representative for the Mi’kmaq and also for Cape Breton.

Senator Christmas, knowing you is what made me noteworthy to this individual. You truly were recognized as a positive influence on this individual and, accordingly, all residents of Cape Breton.

The distinguished recognition I received that day stayed with me all this time. It is only fitting that I share that appreciation with you today.

Although saying goodbye to you in this chamber may be sombre for us here in Ottawa, I trust that back home, you will make more people happy as they get opportunities to see you more frequently.

Senator Christmas, I know the last few years have been difficult for you since your wife and life partner passed away much too soon, but I wish you God’s peace and blessings during this holiday season, as it is always when loneliness is felt the most.

Senator Christmas, it has been a privilege to work with you and to get to know you. On behalf of the Conservative caucus, I wish you the very best in your new adventures, and I hope and trust that you will be able to enjoy your fame back home. Happy retirement.