Statement made on 01 October 2009 by Senator James Cowan
Hon. James S. Cowan (Leader of the Opposition):
Honourable senators, when I speak in this place, my remarks sometimes draw a reaction from my friends on the other side of the aisle.
Today, I am more concerned about the reaction behind me because Senator Cook made it abundantly clear that she did not want tributes to mark her retirement. In disregarding her wishes, I recognize that I am putting myself at considerable personal risk, but leadership must have some privileges and I will take the chance anyway.
Senator Cook is a fiercely proud and devoted Newfoundlander and Canadian. When she arrived in the Senate in March 1998, the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Al Graham, spoke of Senator Cook's long history of community work. He spoke of her service as a member of a national consultation group on women and poverty, her work with the Girl Guides of Canada that led to her being named a national life member of that organization, and her work on mental health issues.
Among other things, she founded a non-profit social centre in St. John's, Newfoundland for mental health consumers. She is also deeply involved with the Newfoundland branch of the Canadian Cancer Society, the Salvation Army senior citizens home and the United Church Food Aid Centre.
Senator Cook continued her dedication to these causes after coming here through her work in the chamber and in committee, notably with Fisheries and Oceans and Social Affairs, Science and Technology. I know how valuable her work was to Senator Kirby during that committee's lengthy study of Canada's health care system.
Honourable senators, I feel a particular kinship with Senator Cook. She was my predecessor as whip — a position she held for close to a year. Serving as whip can be a thankless job. I am sure the alumni of that position on both sides of the chamber would agree. Senator Cook managed to keep us in line with charm and grace, somehow persuading us that one or another task was our own idea all along.
She also tried to draw the line with respect to tributes, insistent that her many years of work in the Senate and to her party not be extolled. However, she did not request that I refrain from disclosing her membership in what I discovered to be an Atlantic conspiracy.
Let me explain. I was reflecting that she — from Newfoundland and Labrador — was my predecessor. Of course, I am from Nova Scotia. I then began to think about other people who have allowed their arms to be twisted to take on the job. Honourable senators, I am beginning to suspect that a conspiracy is afoot and has been for decades. Perhaps laws of nature are at work here, the power of which even the Parliament of Canada dare not defy.
The number of Atlantic Canadians who have held this position is vastly disproportionate to our share of the population of Canada. On this side, Senator Cook took over from Senator Losier-Cool — a New Brunswicker. She took the whip position from Senator Rompkey — from Newfoundland and Labrador. Senator Bill Petten served as whip of the Liberal Party for 17 years — from 1974 to 1991.
Who holds the position now? While technically an Ontarian, Senator Munson was born in New Brunswick.
Senator Munson: Only looking for extra work.
Senator Cowan: This secret plot to keep the whip in Atlantic Canada has not always been confined to our side. Senator DeWare from New Brunswick served as whip from 1999 to 2001. She took over from His Honour who served as the whip for five years in the 1990s — also from New Brunswick. I will quickly list some others: Senator Phillips from Prince Edward Island was whip for seven years. Just so you know that I am not the only alumnus from Nova Scotia, Senator J.M. Macdonald served as Progressive Conservative whip in government and in opposition from 1963 to 1984. Who would have the fortitude to do the job for that long? Only an Atlantic Canadian.
It seems there have been aberrations. One or two honourable senators from other provinces occasionally have managed to twist the whip from our strong Atlantic hands, but there have been relatively few.
Honourable senators, why is this? Why do we have this so-called overrepresentation from Atlantic Canada? I have a theory.
Senator Stratton: Too many of them.
Senator Cowan: There can never be too many Atlantic Canadians, Senator Stratton, even in the Senate.
Teddy Roosevelt famously advised people to speak softly, but carry a big stick. I would like to suggest the Senate version is smile sweetly and wield the whip. Who better to do that than Atlantic Canadians?
Senator Cook, you set a good example as a whip for which I am grateful. Above all, you have showed us all how dedication to important causes and to one's province can yield results for all Canadians. I thank you for that. Enjoy your well-earned retirement with your beloved daughters and grandchildren.
Please click here to read more tributes to the Honourable Joan Cook