Senator Don Plett, Leader of the Opposition

Hon. Donald Neil Plett: Colleagues, I also wish to pay tribute to our colleague but, much more importantly, our friend, Tobias Enverga. I would like to address my comments, if I could, to Tobias’s family, his wife, Rosemer, and their three daughters, Rystle, Reeza and Rocel. I knew Tobias as a senator and a colleague and had come to appreciate his commitment and dedication. He was someone who I, as the whip of our caucus, could always depend on. I spent the last year and a half sitting on Fishe…

Hon. Donald Neil Plett: Colleagues, I rise today to speak to Bill C-311, An Act to amend the Holidays Act (Remembrance Day). I want to thank Senator Day for bringing this legislation forward, and in fact for all the work that he does to honour our men and women in uniform, and especially our veterans. Few people in this chamber, if any, are more dedicated to this cause. Remembrance Day in Canada is unlike any other day, and the feeling of standing at a local cenotaph or monument surrounded by…

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO: Hon. Donald Neil Plett: I will speak briefly to this today. It is also on day 14, so I will make some comments on this today. I want to begin by thanking Senator Bovey for bringing this very important issue to the floor of the Senate. This is a time-sensitive issue and can be highlighted, discussed and, hopefully, rectified as quickly as possible. Senator Bovey mentioned her trip to Churchill, and I am pleased that she had the opportunity to make the trip to a place tha…

Hon. Donald Neil Plett: I think at this point the rest of us could probably say “me too” and sit down, but I do want to associate myself as well with my colleagues as we pay tribute to our good friend and colleague, Senator Kelvin Ogilvie. And as has already been said, to list each of his awards, accolades and significant achievements would put me well beyond my allotted speaking time today. However, as has already been said, there are a couple I also want to draw to your attention. Senator Ogi…

Hon. Donald Neil Plett: Your Honour and honourable colleagues, as was said earlier today, I gave notice that I would be raising a question of privilege with respect to a letter that we all received which publicly calls for House of Commons interference with the Senate as an independent chamber. As I stated in my oral notice, among the parliamentary privileges guaranteed to all parliamentarians is freedom from obstruction and interference in the performance of their parliamentary functions. Las…

Hon. Donald Neil Plett: Before I say a few words about this amendment, let me welcome our new colleague to this chamber. I have had the opportunity to read at least one of the senator’s books and am only a few pages away from finishing the second one. Indeed, if those two books are any indication, certainly Facing the Hunter is a marvellous book, and I have enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more of what you have written. Honourable senators, I rise today to speak to Senator Beyak’s…

National Anthem Act Bill to Amend—Third Reading—Motion in Amendment—Vote Deferred On the Order: Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, for the third reading of Bill C-210, An Act to amend the National Anthem Act (gender). And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Enverga, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ngo: That Bill C-210 be not now read a third time, but that it be amended in the schedul…

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO: Canadian Human Rights ActCriminal Code Bill to Amend—Third Reading—Debate Continued On the Order: Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Mitchell, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, for the third reading of Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code. Hon. Donald Neil Plett: Honourable senators, I rise today to speak at third reading to Bill C-16. Since I last rose to speak on this topic, we have had a…

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO: National Anthem Act Bill to Amend—Third Reading—Debate Continued On the Order: Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, for the third reading of Bill C-210, An Act to amend the National Anthem Act (gender). Hon. Donald Neil Plett: Honourable senators, I rise today to speak in opposition to Bill C-210, An Act to amend the National Anthem Act (gender). As our nation prepares to celebrate…

Canada Prompt Payment Bill Third Reading Hon. Donald Neil Plett moved third reading of Bill S-224, An Act respecting payments made under construction contracts, as amended. He said: Honourable senators, I will be brief. It is late. We all want to go home. I need to build a shed at home, something that I had to pay for when I bought it. They didn't give me any credit. Bill S-224, the Canada Prompt Payment Act, was first tabled in this place on April 13, 2016, over one year ago. Sadly, in…