Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate), pursuant to notice of March 1, 2022, moved:

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine and report upon the expenditures set out in the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023; and

That, for the purpose of this study, the committee have the power to meet, even though the Senate may then be sitting or adjourned, and that rules 12-18(1) and 12-18(2) be suspended in relation thereto.

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): My statement this afternoon will address two topics. First, I want to highlight the courageous determination that we are witnessing every day from Ukraine’s leaders and citizens. They have given new meaning to the word “heroism.” Their resistance reminds the world that democracy cannot be taken for granted. As a Manitoba senator, I represent a province that has been home to a large Ukrainian diaspora since the beginning of the 21st century. On their behalf and along with all Canadians, we stand united in solidarity.

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): I also rise today to congratulate Michelle Smith, this year’s winner of the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts.

Ms. Smith is a dedicated, generous, creative and tireless volunteer. Through her active involvement with and support for many francophone communities and arts organizations, she has made an indelible contribution to the cultural and linguistic vitality of her community.

I would like to read from her biography, which was included in the notice announcing her nomination:

A native of Sainte-Anne-des-Chênes, Michelle Smith has volunteered notably with Théâtre Cercle Molière (TCM), Canada’s oldest theatre company, which attracts more than 10,000 patrons every year. As a member of its fundraising committee, she helped raise over $2 million to build a new theatre centre . . . . Subsequently, as chair of the board, she spearheaded the establishment of an endowment fund that currently exceeds $1 million and provides TCM with a stable annual income.

Among other achievements, she helped establish the Maison Gabrielle-Roy (restoration of the beloved author’s childhood home), and has done volunteer fundraising for Francofonds (Manitoba’s Francophone community foundation) and Le 100 Nons (an organization dedicated to training and promoting francophone music artists). . . .

She also supports the Dead of Winter choir (formerly Camerata Nova), the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, the Prairie Theatre Exchange, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Manitoba Opera, among others. She is also a member of Les blés au vent community choir.

She is the co-author of Les Manitobaines engagées, an anthology of autobiographies by Francophone women, published in 2021 to commemorate the centennial of women’s suffrage in Manitoba.

I am proud to acknowledge the award won by Michelle Smith, and I congratulate her once again.

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

The Hon. the Speaker: Are honourable senators ready for the question?

The Hon. the Speaker: Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?

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