Hon. Mobina S. B. Jaffer: I rise today to pay tribute to Senator Viola Léger.

In September 2001, four people were appointed senators — Laurier LaPierre, Viola Léger, Jean Lapointe and I — one week after the September 11 tragedy.

As I was the first Muslim senator, I was worried about the situation because I was hearing negative comments about Muslims in the house.

Viola comforted me and told me that it was not true that all Muslims were like that. She said, “Don’t worry, be patient, take your time and tell your story slowly.” She promised me that one day things would change in the Senate.

Viola was very generous with me.

Senator Léger was first and foremost an accomplished artist. We remember her mainly for her role as La Sagouine, the character created by Antonine Maillet. La Sagouine, a humble cleaning woman and daughter of a fisherman, tells her story and that of Acadia and its people. This role showcases the Acadian culture and language and presents the reality of this group of francophones from the Maritimes to Canadians in the rest of the country.

Between 1971 and 2016, Viola Léger performed this role more than 3,000 times in French and English, and brought her to life right across Canada, the United States and Europe.

[English]

Viola, I want to send you an update on your advice to me. For being patient, I get a C on my report card; taking my time does not come naturally to me; in telling my history about being Muslim, with the help of many other senators — we are now five in the Senate — we have made great progress.

Viola, you were an amazing friend and colleague and I will always remember you fondly. Rest in peace, my friend.