Senator Lynn Beyak calls it a promise made, a promise kept.
The Dryden area representative says in keeping with former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s commitment to Senate reform, which included eight year terms, her time is up.
She is retiring effective today, January 25th.
Beyak also pointed out the following in a press release:
Some have criticized me for stating that the good, as well as the bad, of residential schools should be recognized. I stand by that statement. Others have criticized me for stating that the Truth and Reconciliation Report was not as balanced as it should be. I stand by that statement as well. And finally, I have been criticized for offering concerned Canadians a space to comment critically about the Indian Act. My statements and the resulting posts were never meant to offend anyone, and I continue to believe that Indigenous issues are so important to all of us that a frank and honest conversation about them is vital. Cross country polls indicate that a vast majority of Canadians, over 60%, Indigenous and non alike, believe that the billions of dollars spent, show little success. With good will to all, I stand by the need to have that conversation.
I am especially proud of legislative contributions to Canada made during my 8 years in office, such as Bills C-501, C-61 and C-42, the Common Sense Firearms Licencing Act, recognized internationally, which I sponsored on behalf of the House of Commons, with consensus through the Senate to Royal Assent. Immeasurable hours of committee work with my colleagues have resulted in the addition of twelve Senate of Canada reports, respected around the world and often recognized in courts and legislatures. I pledge to continue my work, outside the Chamber, in the best interest of all Canadians.
The following is a portion of her letter to the Senate:
From the moment I arrived in Ottawa, my focus was to advocate for a wiser use of taxpayers’ dollars. The waste I have witnessed firsthand is very troubling, and Canadians deserve so much better. That waste was the focus of my March 2017 speech, as I opposed the multi-million dollar expense that was proposed to rename government buildings, removing the names of prominent and historically consequential Canadians. I instead suggested that the money go to the people who needed it most. That speech, and the events that followed, would come to define my term in the Senate. Immediately, those with an agenda for power and control, and an aversion to honest debate, attacked my views with the help of some in a complicit media.
The fact that a Senator dared to speak the opinions of millions of Canadians frightened those same few people, and their fear has been evident every day since, as they have constantly attacked me in Ottawa with unconstitutional motions and costly inquiries, all in an effort to stifle freedom of expression.
Not only has it been my duty as a Senator (who constitutionally cannot be expelled), but it has been my privilege, to weather those attacks on behalf of Canadians who value freedom of expression. I will treasure the many thousands of letters I have received from all across the country in support of my efforts for the rest of my life. To all my supporters, and the true investigative journalists who sought the facts and reported them, I sincerely thank you.
As my term comes to an end, I encourage those Canadians who know right from wrong, and good from evil, to have the courage to stand up and contribute to your municipality, province, and country. It is a dark time in politics as true leaders who will stand for their beliefs and those of their constituents seem non-existent.
When our entire rail system can be shut down with little consequence to those responsible, yet a young man is arrested for playing pond hockey, we have an absence of leadership. When federal inmates, convicted of crimes against their fellow citizens receive vaccines before our elderly and most vulnerable, we have an absence of leadership. When we welcome millions of immigrants to our country with kindness, love, and opportunity, yet those in power label Canada as systemically racist, we have an absence of leadership.
Only by getting involved in our country’s future will examples such as these be rectified. As Edmund Burke famously said: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (sic) to do nothing.” Although I am retiring from the Senate after eight years as I committed to Prime Minister Harper, I will continue to work for the betterment of the country and I believe that our best days are ahead of us.
Honourable Lynn Beyak
Senate of Canada
