Hon. Réjean Aucoin, of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, introduced between Hon. Marc Gold, P.C., and Hon. René Cormier.

[English]

Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain: Colleagues, I am pleased to welcome four senators whose strong voices and wisdom will round out New Brunswick and Nova Scotia’s representation here in the Senate.

Senator Albert Réjean Aucoin: Finally!

Finally, the Senate has someone representing Nova Scotia Acadians in the Senate. I am so looking forward to hearing you champion the interests of Chéticamp, Acadia, the francophonie and Nova Scotia as a whole both in this chamber and in our committees, just as you’ve done in so many other roles elsewhere. Your record is impressive. With your expertise in social work, law, journalism and community development, I know you will help us see through new and diverse lenses, and that will benefit all Canadians.

[English]

Senator Joan Kingston, I am glad that the Senate can count on someone with such diversity, expertise and interests as yours. In your prestigious career, you have devoted yourself to issues related to health care, the environment and human rights, all of which are imminently relevant to our work. You already have solid parliamentary experience, having served as an MLA in New Brunswick, both as a government minister and in the opposition. Your credentials and accomplishments are precious skills to the role of complementary sober second thought that we must offer.

Senator John McNair, by joining the Senate today, you continue a remarkable and diverse career devoted, in large part, to public service. You have held very strategic positions of deputy minister and Deputy Attorney General for the Province of New Brunswick. You were a driving force in the successful implementation of Service New Brunswick. In matters of engineering and delivering services to citizens, including businesses, this agency is recognized as a model.

You are also familiar with parliamentary work, having served as chief of staff for the official opposition in your provincial legislature. On top of that, you still found time to be involved in your community, serving in the Harrison McCain Foundation and many other non-profit organizations. I have no doubt that you will quickly cope with a senator’s heavy agenda and multi-tasking requirements.

Senator Krista Ross, your strong expertise in the finance and trade fields is very welcome. Over the last 20 years, your tireless work and remarkable leadership with the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce were a key factor for this capital city’s — and New Brunswick’s — development. You were rightly celebrated for these achievements, having been named to the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada’s Council of Excellence as well as — it is worth being said twice in this chamber — a Top 50 CEO for Atlantic Canada. There are no doubts about your forthcoming engagement in scrutinizing legislation with your professional lenses and the solid value added that you will bring to our work.

Senators Aucoin, Kingston, McNair and Ross, all members of the Independent Senators Group congratulate and welcome you to the Senate of Canada. We look forward in working in close collaboration with all of you. Thank you. Meegwetch.

[Translation]