2nd Session, 43rd Parliament
Volume 152, Issue 47
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
The Honourable George J. Furey, Speaker
Tributes
The Honourable Jim Munson
Hon. Mobina S. B. Jaffer: Honourable senators, I also rise to recognize a remarkable man, Senator Jim Munson.
Jim, I have a formal statement that I was going to give, but I will send you that statement because I cannot get through it.
For those who don’t know, 18 years ago, when Jim came to the Senate, it was a very different place and it was very difficult for me to fit in. Senator Munson and Senator Mercer were there for me. Senator Munson would always look out for me. He would always tell me what I should be doing, how I should be heard. The issues we discuss so freely today were not so much addressed when I first came to the Senate.
Jim, you introduced the kindness bill. I’m not surprised by that. You are “Mr. Kindness.” You showed me so much kindness throughout my years, and you were our whip. My staff warned me, “Please don’t talk about that in your statement.” I knew that sometimes you had to give me some very tough messages, but I think you hurt more than I because you were a real friend.
Jim, you taught me the ropes but, most importantly, you taught me how to survive in the Senate. I could say a lot more about your kindness, but I will not be able to get through it. Jim, I will really miss you.