Hon. Jean-Guy Dagenais: My question is for the Leader of the Government. Over the past few years, I have often heard — as have you, I’m sure — NDP members and even former NDP leaders call for the abolition of the Senate and insist that the work we do here in this chamber by virtue of the democratic powers conferred upon us is useless. We now know that the government you represent has saved its skin by cementing an alliance with the NDP, some of whose members will secure a pension for life by holding onto their seats until 2025. Voters chose a minority government, and the Liberals should be ashamed of manipulating that choice.

Leader, given the NDP’s condemnation of the Senate, how can you, with honour and integrity, champion any bill arising from NDP policy that will be submitted to this chamber?

Senator Dagenais: Honourable senators, I would remind you that the NDP was not selected to govern Canada. I therefore want to ask the Leader of the Government whether he would agree that it is unacceptable, shameful even, that we will soon be asked to consider bills that stem from an alliance that is not consistent with the will of Canadians, as clearly expressed in an election that I would describe as unnecessary and extremely costly, called by your Prime Minister, leader, in 2021.