Statement made on 01 November 2011 by Senator Art Eggleton
Hon. Art Eggleton:
Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to Barney Danson, who passed away on October 17, 2011.
Barney was a truly great Canadian who served this country in times of both war and peace. He was born and raised in my home city of Toronto. At the age of 17, he joined the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada with his best friends because he wanted to fight the Nazis. Barney lost four of those best friends and the sight in one eye while fighting in Normandy. He was a war hero, and these experiences had a profound effect on him and his future actions.
He wrote in his memoirs:
If you fought for your country, you had a right to play a part in changing its future, as well as a responsibility to do so.
This was his motivation to run in the 1968 federal election campaign in the riding of York North. Interestingly, he beat Immigration Minister Jason Kenney's grandfather, Mark Kenney — not in the election, but to take the Liberal nomination.
Barney held a number of portfolios in the government of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, the last of which was Minister of National Defence, which I later had the opportunity to serve in. He called me frequently, giving his advice on how I should do the job. As Minister of Defence, he set out to modernize the Armed Forces by setting the stage to purchase new CF-18 fighter craft and by opening up all areas of the Armed Forces to women.
However, there was much more to Barney than just politics. He was proudest in his role in helping to establish Katimavik, a group that educates youth and spurs them on in lifelong civic engagement through community service. Barney said that the camaraderie reminded him of his time in the army.
His leadership and tireless fundraising efforts were instrumental in building the Canadian War Museum. He also produced a highly acclaimed Canadian television series entitled No Price too High, based on Canada's role in the Second World War.
Barney left an enormous legacy, and his accomplishments will live on in those achievements. In recognition of his lifetime of outstanding service in this country, he was named a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2008.
He once said:
I never cease to wonder why I have been so blessed while wartime friends had their lives cut tragically short. I like to think that I kept my promise to those friends to be part of efforts to make Canada a better place. That is the least I could have done, both to honour their sacrifice and to show my gratitude for all that I have received.
Honourable senators, he certainly made Canada a better place, and all Canadians in turn owe him a debt of gratitude for his sacrifice and service to our country.