Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate, and notwithstanding rule 5-5(j), I move:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or usual practice, for today’s sitting, tributes to the late Honourable Senator Viola Léger be continued into Senators’ Statements, if required, and the total period for Tributes and Senators’ Statements be extended by a maximum of five minutes.

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, pursuant to the order adopted on December 7, 2021, I would like to inform the Senate that Question Period with the Honourable Joyce Murray, P.C., M.P., Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, will take place on March 7, 2023, at 2:30 p.m.

[Translation]

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cotter, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, for the second reading of Bill C-22, An Act to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada disability benefit and making a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act.

The Hon. the Speaker: Is leave granted, honourable senators?

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, at the end of January, former senator Viola Léger passed away peacefully at the age of 92 in Dieppe, New Brunswick.

She is survived by her three sisters, Doris, Sister Agnes and Lilianne, as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Viola Léger really loved her family, and I want to offer them my deepest condolences.

Viola Léger was mainly known for her work with author Antonine Maillet and for playing the role of La Sagouine on stage over 3,000 times in French and English, both in Canada and abroad.

Viola Léger was an excellent actress, an ambassador of Acadia and an important symbol of pride for all Acadians. Her art paid tribute to the Acadian culture, including its language. Of course, Viola Léger spoke French, but she did more than just speak it. She gave meaning to the everyday language of Acadians and its charming and unique turns of phrase.

Few things are more precious than one’s mother tongue. Language helps to carry on a culture’s origins and traditions. It reflects the culture’s heart and soul. On stage, Viola Léger was able to embody the Acadian language and culture and breathe new life into them.

Ms. Léger was an Acadian icon known in French Canada as La Sagouine. However, to members of the Senate, she was above all an esteemed colleague. She was appointed to the Senate of Canada by former prime minister Jean Chrétien and served from 2001 to 2005. It was only natural for her, as part of her work in the Senate, to represent the arts community and draw attention to the important contributions that artists make to Canadian society. She also embodied an important part of the Senate’s mission by defending the interests of marginalized and minority communities.

During her maiden speech in the Senate, in November 2001, Senator Léger said the following about her beloved Acadia:

Whether in Newfoundland, Louisiana, Caraquet, Montreal or Belle-Île-en-Mer, the Acadian soul is constantly reborn. We are intrigued, seduced and moved by it. It also makes us laugh, and sometimes cry.

Although we mourn her passing, it also gives us the opportunity to remember the joy and laughter that Viola Léger brought to our hearts. May her soul rest in peace.