Posted on 15 September 2009
OTTAWA – “We need to keep an open dialogue for our people, who are facing similar issues,” said Canada’s only Inuk Senator Charlie Watt as he stepped forward with Senate government leader Marjory LeBreton today to formally support new Nunavut Senator Dennis Patterson as he took his oath of office.
It is not often that an opposition Senator will support a Senate appointment made by the government. As he officially welcomed Senator Patterson to his first day on the job, Senator Watt said “I was hopeful that an Inuk would fill Senator Adam’s vacant seat, but I am in favour of a less partisan Senate, and respect Dennis Patterson as a friend and colleague. He has done exceptional work in the North. We both have a job to do representing the Inuit, and I look forward to working together on issues of shared concern.”
