As the session comes to an end in the Senate, I wish to reflect on the dedicated work that has taken place over the past few months. Our strong Conservative team has done diligent work reviewing the legislation brought before us. We remain concerned that the Trudeau government is not ready for ... Full Article

June 21, 2018 – Senator Larry W. Smith, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate made the following statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day: Today, Canadians should take the time to celebrate the outstanding contributions of our First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. On this very ... Full Article

Last week, Bill C-45, the government legislation proposed to legalize marijuana in Canada, passed in the Senate. Despite the passage of the bill, many significant concerns remain. In the face of a government that wanted legalization of marijuana passed quickly to hit their July 1 target date, ... Full Article

Hon. Larry W. Smith (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I rise today to also offer sincere congratulations to our two new colleagues, Honourable Pierre Dalphond and Honourable Donna Dasko, who were named to the Senate yesterday on the recommendation of Prime Minister Trudeau. ... Full Article

Hon. Larry W. Smith (Leader of the Opposition): I’d like to spend a few minutes. I studied regulations in the last few days, and I thought I could give some feedback that would be helpful for our whole group in terms of framing present and future bills. Honourable senators, I wish to speak ... Full Article

Hon. Larry W. Smith (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I would also like to offer some words to welcome our new colleague in the Senate of Canada, the Honourable Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia. On behalf of all Conservative senators, I extend congratulations to the senator on his ... Full Article

Hon. Larry W. Smith (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, today we bid a fond farewell to a friend and colleague, the one and only Senator Nancy Greene Raine. Fifty years ago, she captured the imagination of Canadians by winning the Olympic gold medal in the giant slalom in ... Full Article

Hon. Larry W. Smith (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable Senators, today we have experienced a terrible loss within our parliamentary family. Gord Brown, Member of Parliament for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, passed away suddenly this morning. Gord was only 57 years ... Full Article

Hon. Larry W. Smith (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I rise today with a heavy heart to offer my deepest condolences to the victims and their families of the terrible incident that took place in Toronto yesterday. To the 10 people whose lives were taken, our prayers are with ... Full Article

Hon. Larry W. Smith (Leader of the Opposition): I have some of the text, actually, that Senator Day spoke of. If I could make a comment to our senators here, one of the things I appreciated the most in coming into the Senate was having the ability the meet with senators who had been here for ... Full Article