Hon. Leo Housakos: Honourable senators, I’m very happy to have joining us today the Honourable Serge Joyal. I think I speak for all of us when I say that this institution is all the richer for having had former Senator Joyal’s service. His constitutional knowledge was unrivalled in this place, and that certainly came through in his insightful and invaluable interventions. Senator Joyal has also left an indelible mark on the Senate through his philanthropic donations of artwork and other artifacts.

And thanks to Senator Joyal, another incredible piece of the Senate’s history will be unveiled today and will take a place of honour in our hallowed halls. I’m referring to the chair of the eleventh Speaker of the Senate of Canada, the Honourable Sir Alexandre Lacoste, who served as Speaker in 1891.

[Translation]

A prominent Montreal lawyer, Sir Alexandre Lacoste played an important role in advising the Conservative Party behind the scenes, but he always resisted pressure to run for office. I admire him already.

He had a great admiration for the Constitution given to Canada by Confederation, and he pleaded many constitutional cases before Canada’s highest court, which was located in London, England at the time. I understand why Serge admired him so much.

Later, after serving briefly on the Legislative Council of Quebec, Mr. Lacoste was appointed to the Senate of Canada on the recommendation of Sir John A. Macdonald, another great Conservative Prime Minister.

[English]

Senator Lacoste believed that the chief function of the upper house was to “. . . form a court of revision, whose vigilance should be untiring.” I like him more and more, colleagues.

[Translation]

Mr. Lacoste was appointed as Speaker of the Senate in April of 1891, but his time in the Senate was short-lived, as he resigned his position to become the Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench in Quebec. He served as Speaker for only five months — and here I thought I held the record.

That brings me to talk about his chair, honourable senators. Many of you may not know that, before a permanent chair was built for the Speaker in 1923, the Senate ordered a new chair for every new Speaker, who then kept the chair when they retired.

[English]

Later today, we will gather in the Senators’ Lounge for the unveiling of Speaker Lacoste’s chair, which is being so graciously donated by our former colleague. This is especially poignant because this chair was used in the Senate in the original parliamentary building prior to the fire of 1915. It is one of the few remaining pieces of furniture or artifacts from the original Senate. We are very fortunate to receive this gift and we will have it on display right here in the Senate foyer for all to see.

Thank you, former Senator Joyal, for your ongoing commitment and preservation of our history and, of course, your commitment to this wonderful institution. Thank you very much.