Hon. Pierrette Ringuette: Honourable senators, I rise today to seek your support in my bid to become Speaker pro tempore for this first session of our Forty-fourth Parliament.

As I indicated to you last week, I am interested in guiding our deliberations, when our Speaker is absent, and sharing my experience, skills and knowledge with you.

[English]

This week marks my nineteenth year as a senator, and I have white hair to show it. Of course, during all those years, I have witnessed and participated in vigorous debates leading to votes. I have always done so with respect for senators expressing different perspectives which, I believe, enrich us all.

Our world, our country and the Senate of Canada have had to adjust to the reality of COVID-19 in early 2020. Our hybrid sittings, including Committees of the Whole, enabled us to fulfill our mandate, and I was honoured to serve as Speaker pro tempore to ensure robust and respectful debates. To do so, one certainly needs to know the Rules, the required decorum and many more subtleties that a seasoned parliamentarian ascertains so that our deliberations are respectful, fair and impartial.

Honourable senators, this is the seasoned perspective I am able to offer as Speaker pro tempore.

[Translation]

Honourable senators, in addition to my 19 years in the Senate, my personal experience as Deputy Speaker of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly and as Assistant Deputy Speaker in the House of Commons taught me to treat everyone with respect, fairness and impartiality.

The success of our efforts also depends on the ability of the Chair to oversee our sometimes contentious debates. Each of us brings our own values and ideals to the Senate, which enriches our work. However, we all share the same goal of maintaining rigour and reinvigorating the Senate of Canada for the well-being of Canadians.

[English]

Honourable senators, I was honoured to serve as your Speaker pro tempore following our first process, and I welcome this second election process for our Speaker pro tempore. It is another step in our journey to modernize the Senate and signals that this is not a static institution.

In my perspective, everyone wins in a democratic process — those that vote and those that put their name forward. I want to thank Senator Bovey for being a candidate and, as always, I wish her well.

[Translation]

I hope I can count on your support. Thank you.