Senator Brian Francis

Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne's experience as a journalist, Ottawa and Washington correspondent, ombudsman, chair of the Conseil du statut de la femme, and diplomat makes her an asset to the PSG. We are delighted to welcome her!

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L’expérience de la sénatrice Julie Miville-Dechêne en tant que journaliste, correspondante à Ottawa et Washington, ombudsman, présidente du Conseil du statut de la femme et diplomate fait d’elle un atout pour le GPS. Nous sommes heureux de l’accueillir parmi nous !

@jmivilledechene.bsky.social

J’ai eu une excellente réunion ce matin avec Jeff Ramsay, Stanford Carr, Chase Currie et Chad McNeill du Conseil des métiers de la construction de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard.

Had a great meeting this morning with Jeff Ramsay, Stanford Carr, Chase Currie and Chad McNeill of the P.E.I. Building Trades Council.

La Journée nationale des peuples autochtones, nous nous réunissons pour reconnaître et célébrer les contributions des Premières Nations, Inuits et Métis au Canada. Parmi eux se trouvent d’innombrables personnes courageuses qui ont servi et se sont sacrifiées pour protéger notre pays et nos libertés.

J’ai assisté à une cérémonie du souvenir au Monument national des anciens combattants autochtones, situé dans le parc de la Confédération à Ottawa. Merci à Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones pour la invitation. J’ai été honoré de me joindre à la sénatrice Boyer pour déposer une couronne en hommage.

On National Indigenous Peoples Day, we come together to recognize and celebrate the contributions First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples have made – and continue to make – to Canada. Among them are countless brave individuals who have served and sacrificed to protect our country and our freedoms.

Today, I attended a Ceremony of Remembrance at the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument in Ottawa’s Confederation Park. Thank you to Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones for the kind invitation. I was honoured to join Senator Yvonne Boyer in laying a wreath in honour of Indigenous veterans.

Aujourd’hui, au Sénat, j’ai prononcé une déclaration pour souligner le #MoisNationalDeLHistoireAutochtone. Cliquez sur la vidéo ci-dessous pour la regarder.

Today in the Senate, I delivered a statement to mark hashtag#NationalIndigenousHistoryMonth. Click the video below to watch.

Merci à mes collègues du Groupe progressiste du Sénat pour leur confiance et leur appui. Je porte cette responsabilité avec humilité, fierté et un engagement à ouvrir plus de portes pour les générations futures.

Devenir la première personne autochtone à diriger un caucus ou un groupe au Parlement n’est pas seulement une étape importante pour moi – c’est un pas en avant pour nous tous qui travaillons vers un Canada plus inclusif et représentatif.

Hier, au Sénat, j’ai été profondément ému de recevoir une ovation de mes collègues.

Thank you to my colleagues in the Progressive Senate Group for your trust and support. I carry this responsibility with humility, pride, and a commitment to opening more doors for future generations.

Yesterday in the Senate chamber, I was deeply moved to receive a standing ovation from colleagues. Becoming the first Indigenous person to lead a caucus/group on Parliament is not just a personal milestone – it’s a step forward for all of us working toward a more inclusive & representative Canada.

Last Tuesday, Senators Downe, MacAdam, Robinson, and I had the pleasure of meeting Premier Rob Lantz and his wife, Kelly, in the Senate Chamber following King Charles III’s Speech from the Throne. Proud to stand alongside them in representing Epekwitk/Prince Edward Island on such a historic day.

Je suis profondément préoccupé et déçu par les rapports selon lesquels des agents du ministère des Pêches et des Océans ont saisi 300 casiers à homard appartenant à des pêcheurs de la Première Nation de Lennox Island, ma collectivité d’origine.

I am deeply concerned and profoundly disappointed by reports that officers from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans seized 300 lobster traps belonging to fishers from Lennox Island First Nation – my home community.

Le GPS est heureux d’annoncer sa nouvelle équipe de direction : le sén. Brian Francis (leader), la sén. Judy White (leader adjointe), la sén. Amina Gerba (agente de liaison), et la sén. Tracy Muggli (présidente)
theprogressives.ca/fr/nouvelles...
@brianfrancispei.bsky.social @amy61.bsky.social

The PSG is pleased to announce its new leadership team: Senator Brian Francis (Leader), Senator Judy White (Deputy Leader), Senator Amina Gerba (Liaison), and Senator Tracy Muggli (Caucus Chair)
theprogressives.ca/news/progres...
#SenCA #cdnpoli
@brianfrancispei.bsky.social @amy61.bsky.social

As #BearWitnessDay approaches this Saturday, I encourage everyone to reflect on Jordan’s legacy and to commit to the ongoing work needed to ensure equitable access to care and support for First Nations children across Canada.

Gratitude as well to Wabano Fine Chocolates whose hand-painted and bear-shaped chocolates carrying a teaching were a special treat we gifted to attendees. Every purchase supports important programming at the Wabano Community Health Centre in Ottawa.a

A heartfelt thank you to Harmony for the beautiful beaded pin she gifted me - your craftsmanship and generosity mean so much.

We were joined by over 200 children who took part in a heartfelt round dance and were treated to a powerful performance by a group of talented youth drummers from Kitigan Zibi.

This year is especially meaningful as we approach the 20th anniversary of #JordansPrinciple on May 10. Named in memory of Jordan River Anderson, this vital legal requirement aims to ensure that First Nations children have equitable access government-funded products, supports and services.

On Wednesday, I had the honour of joining Senators Audette, Greenwood, Harder, Klyne, and White to host a #BearWitnessDay on Parliament Hill in partnership with the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and the Assembly of Seven Generations.

Together, we keep the memory of our missing and murdered relatives alive and work toward a future where Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are protected, valued, and respected across Canada.

Thank you to the organizers for creating such a powerful and meaningful space for remembrance and reflection.

Last Monday evening in Summerside, PEI, I participated in a walk to honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and to renew our collective commitment to justice, safety, and change.

Photo credit: Official Photographer Evan Ceretti, Government of Prince Edward Island.