Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, before I turn to my text, a few words of apology are in order — first to Senator Woo, because I will be using a poem, or at least the structure of a poem, that he elegantly used on a previous occasion. I feel duty bound to offer my apologies as well to the Yeatses and Shakespeares of the world for what I’m about to do to the English language — and to Molière as well, as you’ll see in a moment.

The other thing that I would invite colleagues to do is indulge in a bit of poetic licence. I thought I would be giving this at night, perhaps even last night. So although I have made a few changes and without further apologies, my remarks to you all and those watching.

’Twas the night before rising, when all through the Senate,

The bills kept a-comin’ because the House didn’t get it.

They’d come to agreement and left to go home,

Not thinking of us down the street all alone.

We messaged and called and texted between us,

Sorting out how to law-make without all the fuss.

The studies got tabled and speeches were heard,

We did what was needed to push them to third.

We finally saw that the end was in sight,

The clock said we had one more hour to midnight.

While waiting for Rideau to give us its “yea,”

I know there was one more thing I’d yet to say.

Since COVID has kept many locked in a room,

Wearing masks and distancing and speaking through Zoom,

I owe you all a warm virtual kiss for getting it done, leaving nothing amiss.

[Translation]

There are one or two who deserve their own mentions,

They know this place well, the rules and conventions.

They help or they hinder, depending on the day,

It’s part of my job. Do I like it? I’ll say!

[English]

There’s Gagné and Benson and Plett and Pau Woo,

And Cordy and Tannas and Housakos now too.

To some I say thank you, and I mean this sincerely,

On days like this, we can see things most clearly.

We’re here for our country; we want what is best,

Our goals are the same; it’s not a contest.

Our families are waiting, so let’s get on our way,

Happy Holidays to all, and to all a very good day.

[Translation]