Hon. Paulette Senior, of Pickering, Ontario, introduced between Hon. Marc Gold, P.C., and Hon. Rosemary Moodie.

The following honourable senators were introduced; presented His Majesty’s writ of summons; took the oath prescribed by law, which was administered by the Clerk of the Senate; and were seated:

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, on behalf of the Government Representative Office, I am pleased to welcome five new colleagues to the Senate of Canada: senators Marnie McBean, Paulette Senior, Toni Varone, Mary Robinson and Mohammad Al Zaibak. I look forward to working with all of you.

We all remember Senator McBean’s triumphs rowing for Canada in 1992 and 1996. She is one of only two Canadians to be a triple gold medallist at the summer games. She was Team Canada’s chef de mission for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, leading Team Canada to one of its best Olympic results ever. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario and Right to Play Canada. She remains committed to many social-justice-related causes, including the Special Olympics Canada Champions Network.

Senator McBean was awarded the Thomas Keller Medal by World Rowing and was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. She received the Bonham Centre Award for increasing awareness of sexual diversity, as well as the Bruce Kidd Leadership Award for her leadership and contributions to Canadian athletics.

Senator Paulette Senior has devoted her life and her career to women’s issues. She is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Women’s Foundation and was previously the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Canada.

Her work has included promoting gender equity, addressing gender-based violence, reducing women’s poverty, shrinking the wage gap and promoting the empowerment of women and girls across this country. Senator Senior has worked with all levels of government and civil society to address issues of poverty, housing, immigration and social justice.

She has managed and operated Toronto-based shelters, employment programs and housing programs and sat on the Board of Directors of the Women’s College Hospital and on the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council. In 2022, she was appointed to serve as a member of the Independent Advisory Board for Supreme Court of Canada Judicial Appointments.

Senator Toni Varone is a businessman and philanthropist who has been recognized for his work in building affordable housing and his commitment to the social and cultural life of the Italian-Canadian community.

As President of the Varone Group, he oversees companies specializing in hospitality, construction, land development and property management services. Senator Varone has also been involved in community and government initiatives, including the creation of safe and affordable shelters for those in need. He is a board member of the Villa Charities foundation and is President of The Italy Earthquake Relief Fund and member of the Peace Through Valour Committee.

Senator Varone is the recipient of the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association Community Achievement Award, the Italian Canadian Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award and the Heart and Hand Award from Villa Charities.

Senator Mary Robinson will represent her home province of Prince Edward Island and will be a strong voice for Atlantic Canada. Senator Robinson brings a wealth of experience to the Senate as a managing partner of the Robinson Group of Companies, a sixth-generation farm and agribusiness in Prince Edward Island. She is also involved in agricultural sector organizations at the provincial, national and international levels.

Senator Robinson was a Board Member and President of the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture, the first female President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the first female Chair of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council.

Senator Al Zaibak is a successful entrepreneur and a generous philanthropist. He is an expert in public-private partnerships and international negotiations, especially in the technology sectors. Senator Al Zaibak has worked to strengthen the economic, social and cultural ties between Canada and the international community, especially between Canada and Arab countries.

He served as Director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Chair of its International Strategic Advisory Committee and is a former chair of the Canada Arab Business Council. Senator Al Zaibak is a co-founder of Lifeline Syria, a not-for-profit organization that helped the sponsorship and settlement of nearly 1,200 Syrian refugees in Canada.

To our five newest colleagues, your wealth of experience, your accomplishments, your leadership skills, your devotion to this country are very much welcome additions to the Senate. My team, all senators and I look forward to working with you. Congratulations.