Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, on behalf of the Government Representative Office, I rise today to welcome Senator Iris Petten to the Senate of Canada.

Senator Petten holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Vocational Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Later, her alma mater would honour her with an honorary degree, a Doctor of Laws.

An important part of Senator Petten’s previous career was defined by her time in the business world and her success as an entrepreneur. In 1984, Senator Petten began her career in the fishing industry with Fishery Products International. She would then be a founding shareholder and serve as Vice-President of Grand Atlantic Seafoods. In 2000, she would co-found Ocean Choice International, where she remained until 2008.

It was as early as her childhood that Senator Petten began her apprenticeship in the world of fishing. Her father was a fisherman and a boatbuilder, as were generations before him.

Senator Petten, your deep roots will prove invaluable in advancing matters of importance to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, but I suspect much of your knowledge and skills of the fishing industry are transferable, and they will surely serve as a boon and an asset to the Pacific and Arctic coastal regions and the maritime challenges that we know they face.

[Translation]

In addition to a long and brilliant career in the Atlantic fishing industry, Senator Petten has been an active member of her community, namely by serving three terms as the chair of the Board of Regents of Memorial University of Newfoundland from 2013 to 2022.

[English]

Senator Petten, once again, welcome to the Senate of Canada. We are honoured to count you among our colleagues. I speak for all of us, but I’m especially sure that Senators Manning, Marshall, Wells and Ravalia will ensure that you’re made to feel very much at home here in Ottawa, as will we all.

Welcome, and thank you very much.

Senator Dalphond: Senator Wells, will you accept another question?

Senator Wells: Yes, Senator Dalphond.

Hon. Iris G. Petten, of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, introduced between Hon. Marc Gold, P.C., and Hon. Fabian Manning.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, there have been consultations and there is an agreement to allow a photographer in the Senate Chamber to photograph the introduction of a new senator.

Is it agreed, honourable senators?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform the Senate that the Clerk of the Senate has received a certificate from the Registrar General of Canada showing that Iris G. Petten has been summoned to the Senate.

Hon. Iris G. Petten, of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, introduced between Hon. Marc Gold, P.C., and Hon. Fabian Manning.

Senator Jaffer: Thank you. Let us also take this opportunity to remember that diversity makes this country stronger. It is the key to our shared prosperity. There is no room in Canada for intolerance or hate. Never again should we pass an act such as the Chinese Exclusion Act. Never again should we treat Chinese Canadians any differently from any other Canadian. They belong to Canada. Thank you.

Senator Gold: Well, that’s quite the tour d’horizon, Senator Plett.

The government has put into place serious measures to address the issue of foreign interference. We are waiting, and it will only be a few short weeks until the report of the Right Honourable David Johnston — at which point Canadians will understand the next steps that the government may be advised to conduct in its continued effort to protect Canadians from foreign interference.

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

Senator Gold: Senator Batters, colleagues, my job is to answer questions, and I will. It is not to try to school this chamber on the basic elements of how security information is transmitted from CSIS or other agencies through various levels. Nor is it my obligation or desire to remind you that we are still dealing with leaked material, of which we actually have no notice how nuanced it was or wasn’t — published and leaked information that has been taken seriously by this government and acted upon by this government upon its receipt.

With regard to the rest of your question, Senator Batters, the fact remains that this government is taking the steps necessary to protect Canadians from foreign interference. The actions it took in expelling the diplomat and declaring the individual persona non grata sends a strong signal not only to China but also to other countries who seek to interfere with our democratic processes.

Senator Gold: Although they become fewer with each passing month, there remain far too many challenges facing Canadians, especially with the cost of groceries and inflation in several sectors.

It is concerning, and that is why the government is moving forward with Bill C-46, which will be debated at third reading tomorrow, despite a translation error. This bill will help 11 million of the most vulnerable and marginalized Canadians, who need the government to give them a hand as part of a responsible budgetary framework.

Senator Boisvenu: When the bill is studied in committee, you’ll no doubt come to defend it. Is the government open to making a major change, through which recidivists who leave a penitentiary are automatically tried and we can go after them in the community?

[English]

Senator Busson: I’m not sure that I totally understand the question, but if you’re asking whether or not the proposals in this regime will better help the police to identify, track and make compliant these offenders, I believe that is taking place. It’s not my government, but I would hope there could be amendments that make this even more effective.

Senator Carignan: Leader, last week, Toronto media showed images of several hundred people lined up outside of a food bank.

Given the answer you just gave me, what do you have to say to the hundreds of people who were waiting in line at the food bank so they could feed themselves?

Senator Black: For my clarity, and for the clarity of our colleagues, is agriculture a priority for your government? Yes or no.

Senator Miville-Dechêne: The public is still scared, however, and some people are happy to take those fears and exploit them. I don’t think we can try to make them go away.

That was the point of my question. Is the federal government considering strong action to positively counter or correct the fearmongering about immigration? Unfortunately, the immigrants themselves are the ones who suffer from prejudice.

The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that the honourable senator named above had made and subscribed the Declaration of Qualification required by the Constitution Act, 1867, in the presence of the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed to receive and witness the said declaration.

Senator Plett: Well, I find it strange. He is your parliamentary secretary, and you don’t know about claims that he has made.

Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, I am delighted to rise today on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group and join with other leaders in welcoming a new colleague to this chamber.

We recently heard from Minister LeBlanc when he was in our chamber for Question Period that we would soon have more Atlantic Canadians among us, and I hope this is only the beginning for our Atlantic region.

Senator Petten, as we’ve heard, your career trajectory is nothing short of impressive. Dedicating yourself to hard work, to community, to family and to entrepreneurship has served you well. You have proven that an attitude of, “Well, why can’t I do that” is a key ingredient to such success. When you received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Memorial University in Newfoundland, you told graduates how your mentors pushed you beyond your comfort zone. You said:

When they pushed me hard and expected me to learn more, to live up to the job at hand, I grew as a person. The best lessons I learned came from reaching beyond what I knew, and avoiding staying with what I was comfortable with.

Sometimes hard to do but really great advice, Senator Petten.

With your appointment, you have once again found yourself in a new situation. I suspect I speak for all senators when I say that we are looking forward to seeing how you meet this challenge. Based upon your track record, I know that we can expect great things.

Although you are not the first Senator Petten to represent Newfoundland and Labrador in this chamber, I do believe you will be the first senator to represent Port de Grave, and I am sure that they will be well served by your continued dedication to your home community.

Senator Petten, on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, it is my pleasure to officially welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

By the way, I just found out that our very own Senator Audette was born in Labrador. I did not know that until this afternoon, just two minutes before I got up to speak.

Senator Petten, we look forward to working with you. Welcome.

Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain: Honourable senators, it is my great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to the newest member of the Senate of Canada, Senator Iris G. Petten, and as well to your loved ones who are with us, present in the galley.

Her appointment to the chamber is a testament to her distinguished career as a businesswoman in a vital industry to Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as to Canada, and her proven commitment to her province as well as to our country.

Honourable Senator Petten, as a member of the Senate of Canada, you will have the opportunity to contribute your expertise and knowledge to the important work of this upper chamber of the Canadian Parliament.

Your experience in the fishing industry, as well as your service on Memorial University’s Board of Regents will, without a doubt, prove invaluable as we tackle the pressing issues for our regions, for our fellow citizens as well as for our country.

To quote you:

Growing up, you weren’t defined by how you looked like, what education you got, but you were defined by your work ethic.

Your proven work ethic, sense of duty and dedication to representing the interests of the people of your province and all Canadians will undoubtedly be a significant asset to the Senate’s deliberations.

For nearly a decade, you have devoted your time and effort to giving back to Memorial University, the place where you studied. Your unwavering dedication stems from your strong belief in the importance of education, for the resilience of your province and the creation of opportunities for younger generations.

As the eldest of a family with three brothers and two sisters, you always made an effort to help, whether it was in your home or, later, in your career. Despite being far from home here in Ottawa, you have now joined a large family — the Senate of Canada family.

In the conclusion of your role as board chair at Memorial University, you cited Mother Teresa when she said, “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”

As I am sure this phrase still resonates with you today, I am full of hope that, together, we will indeed do great things.

On behalf of all members of the Independent Senators Group, I extend our sincerest congratulations on your appointment. We look forward to working with you in the interests of all Canadians. Welcome.

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, on behalf of the opposition and the Senate’s Conservative caucus, I’m pleased to rise in this chamber and welcome our new colleague, who was sworn in just a few minutes ago.

Welcome to the Senate of Canada, Honourable Iris Petten. We look forward to working in a collaborative way with you in this chamber. I have no doubt that today will be busy, and yet it will also be humbling. When we welcome a new colleague, I find myself thinking back to the day when I was personally asked to serve in the upper chamber. It is a day, undoubtedly, that we all cherish, one filled with excitement and anticipation. For most of us, it is a day when we felt the weight of the responsibility which has been entrusted to us.

Senator Petten, I look forward to getting to know you. I look forward to hearing your unique perspectives in our debates and discussions, including your insights from your 35-plus years of experience in the fishing industry.

I trust that you will always keep in mind that our duty, as senators, is to protect the best interests of Canadians and, in your case, the best interests of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Canadians count on us to ensure that their voices are being heard and represented in Parliament. Together, in this chamber, we must strive to ensure the best path forward for Canadians across our beautiful country. This chamber must provide hope for Canadians, and we cannot forget that we are here to serve them.

Senator Petten, please know that the Conservative caucus will be pleased to work with you, and if ever you were inclined to join the most effective and focused team in this chamber, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I note that you are already well surrounded by wonderful senators from Newfoundland and Labrador.

On behalf of the opposition, as well as the Conservative caucus, I want to warmly welcome you as you embark on the journey with us in the Senate of Canada. Welcome to our Senate family.