Debates of the Senate

Debates of the Senate 2nd SESSION . 41st PARLIAMENT . VOLUME 149 . NUMBER 148 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, June 4, 2015 The Honourable LEO HOUSAKOS Speaker CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue). Debates Services: D'Arcy McPherson, National Press Building, Room 906, Tel. 613-995-5756 Publications Centre: David Reeves, National Press Building, Room 926, Tel. 613-947-0609 Published by the Senate Available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 3513 THE SENATE Thursday, June 4, 2015 The Senate met at 1:30 p.m., the Speaker in the chair. Al defined the term ``happy warrior.'' He combined fierce dedication with an infectious enthusiasm for the many things and Prayers. causes that mattered to him: his Cape Breton roots, the Liberal Party of Canada, the Senate, L'Arche and, above all, his family. VISITORS IN THE GALLERY Politics was central to Al Graham's life. He loved politics and the political process with all his heart. He did so because politics is The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw about people. He saw politics as a means of helping others, your attention to the presence in the gallery of the family of our particularly those who, for whatever reason, had not received a former colleague, the late Honourable Alasdair Graham, fair shake or an equal opportunity to succeed. To him, the affectionately known to us all as Al: his daughter, political process offered the means to address those injustices. Eileen Barrett, accompanied by her husband, George; their son, George; and their daughter and son-in law, Maria Barrett and Anthony Casimiri. Those are values he shared with his family. His son Danny followed him into political life, rising to be the Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party. On behalf of all senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada. My association and friendship with Al Graham goes back Hon. Senators: Hear, hear! through many decades of often-tumultuous political activity in the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia and at the federal level. Indeed, I learned only recently that he had nominated my father as Leader SENATORS' STATEMENTS of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party in 1962, an effort that was as unsuccessful as my own 24 years later, which just goes to show that following in your father's footsteps is not always a good THE LATE HONOURABLE ALASDAIR GRAHAM, P.C. thing to do. The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have received a Al was no fair-weather friend. He was there when times were notice from the Leader of the Opposition who requests, pursuant toughest and the party's fortunes were at their lowest. He could to rule 4-3(1), that the time provided for the consideration of always be counted upon to lift sagging spirits and hold out the Senators' Statements be extended today for the purpose of paying prospect of a better day, even when that seemed to be a highly tribute to the memory of the Honourable Alasdair Graham, who unlikely outcome. He was a tireless campaigner for whom no trip passed away April 22, 2015. was too long, no community was too small and no campaign was too hopeless to receive his support. I remind senators that, pursuant to our rules, each senator will be allowed only three minutes, and they may speak only once. He was a predecessor of mine and of Senator Moore's as the president of the Liberal Party in Nova Scotia. I was honoured to However, as it is agreed that we continue our tributes to our be appointed to fill his seat after his retirement from the Senate. former colleague under Senators' Statements, we will have 30 minutes for tributes. Any time remaining after tributes will Al Graham loved the Senate. He served here with distinction be used for other statements. from 1972 until 2004. As a senator, he was an active member of many committees, served as Deputy Leader of the Government Is it agreed, honourable senators? and then, from 1997 until 1999, as Leader of the Government in the Senate and Regional Minister for Nova Scotia. Hon. Senators: Agreed. Those weren't easy times for federal Liberals in our province. Hon. James S. Cowan (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable Once again, he served without hesitation when called upon and senators, I rise to pay tribute today to our late colleague, the then, with extraordinary grace, stepped back again in 1999. former Leader of the Government in the Senate and a very proud senator, Al Graham, who passed away on April 22. His belief in the power of democracy and democratic values was not limited to Canada. Throughout his career, in the Senate and Colleagues, Al was a long-time friend of mine. We shared a in retirement, Al travelled the world, promoting democratic ideals passion for our province of Nova Scotia, a deep commitment to and helping struggling democracies establish themselves. He led Liberal values and to the Liberal Party, and, of course, a love of many election-monitoring missions across the globe. politics. However, we never served here in the Senate together. So I hope you will understand that my remarks today will be of a personal nature, reflecting our intertwined lives rather than Following his retirement from the Senate, Al became the first focusing on Al's proud and productive Senate career, upon which National Patron and Ambassador for L'Arche Canada, an I hope others will elaborate. organization founded by another great Canadian, Jean Vanier, 3514 SENATE DEBATES June 4, 2015 committed to building inclusive communities for adults with Now for the unique story. In August 1979, the special needs. This he considered to be one of the most Right Honourable John Diefenbaker passed away. A state meaningful activities of his life. funeral was held here in Ottawa, after which Mr. Diefenbaker's body boarded a train and, accompanied by a large and eclectic entourage, headed for his final trip to his resting place in Unquestionably, though, one of Al's proudest achievements Saskatchewan. The train made many stops along the way where was his family, although, as his kids point out and Al thousands of Canadians turned out to pay their last respects. acknowledged, much of the credit went to his late wife, Jean, Al Graham was aboard that train representing the Liberal Party who carried the bulk of responsibility for raising 10 children. Al of Canada. He was the president of the Liberal Party at the time. was justifiably proud of the accomplishments of their children and their families, to whom he had passed on the values of hard work and public service. Now, as many of you know, Mr. Diefenbaker was surrounded by some interesting characters — fierce loyalists and assorted hangers-on — who had all competed at one time or another for Al Graham died on April 22 in Halifax, surrounded by his his affection and attention. As this odd collection of people, along loving family, who had been at his side constantly as he bravely with Al Graham and the media, slowly chugged their way out dealt with the challenges of his declining health. west, old grudges, battles and various other confrontations were raging onboard the train, and these battles were restrained only On April 27, St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica in Halifax was when the train stopped to allow Canadians to pay their respects. packed with friends, family and admirers for a celebration of the life of this remarkable man. His son Danny delivered a moving Back on the rails, the battles resumed anew with many bruised eulogy that I thought captured the essence of Al Graham as a and battered feelings, especially in the bar car late at night. This family man and as a public servant. With eloquence and good went on for several days and nights, and Al Graham did his very humour, Danny paid tribute to a man who gave so much to his best to stay out of the fray. When the train finally arrived in family, his province and his country. Saskatoon, people silently shuffled off the train, each side of the warring factions avoiding the other. There was only one person who survived this ordeal and was on speaking terms with Colleagues, Canada has lost a dedicated public servant, everyone on the train as they disembarked. You guessed it; that Nova Scotia has lost a true patriot and the Graham family has person was Al Graham. This is a true story that throughout the lost its patriarch. I am sure all senators will join me in expressing years became part of political lore. I can still hear him laughing our deepest sympathy to the members of his family, a number of when we would share the details of this very strange and odd whom are with us in the gallery today. journey in 1979. Hon. Marjory LeBreton: Honourable senators, we all mourn the To the extended Graham family, but especially to Eileen, recent passing of the Honourable Alasdair Graham. I will leave it George, Anna, Maria and George Sr., and to his political families to others to outline his many accomplishments, and there were and colleagues, I offer my deepest sympathies. It was a great many, here in the Senate, across this country and, indeed, as honour and pleasure to know Al Graham, and I considered him a Senator Cowan just mentioned, around the world. I will simply friend, and I know he considered me a friend. relate my own personal reflections and share a unique and interesting but true story that has provided us with a few good laughs over the years.

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