Independent Senators Group (ISG)

After careful consideration, we're leaving X to focus on platforms that foster productive and respectful discourse. Join us on LinkedIn (ow.ly/zSUS50UVCyf) and Bluesky (ow.ly/ag1C50UVCzS) for continued conversations. See you there!

Today, the Independent Senators Group bids farewell to Senator Nancy Hartling (@SenatorHartling) on the occasion of her official retirement from the Senate of Canada. Watch Senator Hartling's heartfelt retirement speech, delivered December 10th, here: ow.ly/RpAr50UoI0N

Happy Lunar New Year! May this occasion mark a chapter of good fortune and renewal for you and for your loved ones. #LunarNewYear

Canadians at work at the Arctic Parliamentarians meeting & @ArcticFrontiers conference in beautiful Tromso Norway! Here with MP @YvonneJJones @YukonSenator Pat Duncan & Ambassadors @Carolyn_Bennett & @AmyBakerCAN & senior official Rob Sinclair & advisor Sara Fryer @ParlDiplomacy

#FamilyLiteracyDay emphasizes the importance of reading and writing, encouraging families to share learning opportunities and to consider our collective role in educating future generations.

On International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, we remember the countless lives lost throughout this inconceivable period in human history. Today serves as a necessary reminder of our responsibility to honour their memories.

Created by the UN General Assembly, January 24th signifies #InternationalDayofEducation. Today, we are reminded of the importance of literacy, access to educational resources, and the need for inclusive and equitable schooling, for all.

Celebrate International Day of Education by exploring the Senate’s ready-to-use activities designed to help students learn about Parliament: ow.ly/zcI650ULmnr #SenCA #EduParl #SENgage

I so enjoyed speaking with students from Ft. McMurray Christian School recently about our work at the Senate of Canada & what Senators do. Their curiosity & engagement were wonderful, including great questions! Thanks to students & teachers... keep warm! @ChristianFMPSD @SenateCA

Today and every day, take care of your mental health. Help is available if you or someone you know is going through a crisis: ow.ly/f5AQ50UJOZh #SenCA #BellLetsTalk

Let’s continue to speak up and create lasting change. Together, we can end the stigma associated with mental health and create a more understanding future, within Canada, and around the world. #BellLetsTalk

It was a great honour to present the King Charles III Coronation Medals to four exceptional members of the 3rd Montreal Field Battery of Artillery during their New Year’s lunch on January 12, 2025, at the Côte-des-Neiges military barracks in Montreal. Congratulations to Gilles Pelletier, Philippe Lefebvre, John Hannan, and Stephen Gregory, who were all well-deserving recipients of this prestigious medal, which recognizes exceptional contributions to Canada and its communities. Beyond the uniforms and the medals are the stories of personal sacrifice and perseverance. Behind every soldier and veteran, there is a family. Behind every mission, there are sleepless nights and moments of uncertainty. Thank you! It was an inspiring ceremony attended by many artillery members and their families, with distinguished guests including Brigadier-General (Ret.) David A. Patterson, MSM, CD, and Lieutenant-Colonel Audet, Commanding Officer of the 2nd Field Artillery Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery. I was also honoured to receive the Order of Saint Barbara Medal and to be inducted as a Knight of Saint Barbara, a special distinction recognizing the patron saint of artillery. Thank you to Major (Ret.) Philippe Lefebvre, President of the 3rd Montreal Field Battery, and all those present for welcoming me so warmly and for continuing to uphold the proud traditions of our Canadian Armed Forces. ******* C’était un grand honneur de présenter les médailles du couronnement du roi Charles III à quatre membres exceptionnels de la 3e Batterie d’artillerie de campagne de Montréal lors de leur dîner des fêtes, le 12 janvier 2025, à la caserne militaire de Côte-des-Neiges à Montréal. Félicitations à Gilles Pelletier, Philippe Lefebvre, John Hannan et Stephen Gregory, des récipiendaires méritants de cette médaille prestigieuse, reconnaissant des contributions exceptionnelles au Canada et à ses communautés. Au-delà des uniformes et des médailles se cachent des histoires de sacrifices personnels et de persévérance. Derrière chaque soldat et chaque vétéran, il y a une famille. Derrière chaque mission, il y a des nuits blanches et des moments d’incertitude. Merci messieurs! Ce fut une cérémonie inspirante à laquelle ont assisté de nombreux membres de l’artillerie et leurs familles, ainsi que des invités distingués, notamment le brigadier-général (retraité) David A. Patterson, MSM, CD, et le lieutenant-colonel Audet, commandant du 2e Régiment d’artillerie de campagne de l’Artillerie royale canadienne. J’ai également eu l’honneur de recevoir la médaille de l’Ordre de Sainte-Barbe et d’être adoubé chevalier de Sainte-Barbe, une distinction spéciale qui reconnaît la patronne des artilleurs et des artificiers. Merci à Philippe Lefebvre, major (retraité), président de la 3e Batterie d’artillerie de campagne, ainsi qu’à tous ceux présents pour leur accueil chaleureux et pour avoir perpétué les fières traditions des Forces armées canadiennes. 🇨🇦 Sénateur Tony Loffreda

Happy New Year to all those observing according to the Julian calendar! 🎉 #SenCA

May this upcoming year contain peace and new beginnings for you, your friends, and your families. Happy #OrthodoxNewYear from the ISG!

Fascinating and enlightening discussions here at the @IRENA Legislators Forum. #RenewableEnergy is the sustainable path ahead to ensure a healthy planet and energy for all.

L’accès à une éducation de langue française au Canada demeure un combat de tous les instants. Il y a 25 ans, le 13 janvier 2000, la Cour suprême du Canada rendait un jugement dans l’affaire Arsenault-Cameron de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, une décision importante qui continue de façonner le droit à l’instruction dans la langue de la minorité. Rendons hommage à celles et ceux qui œuvrent sans relâche à faire de nos communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire des milieux de vie où l'on peut être éduqué dans sa langue et s'épanouir dans sa culture. (Photo prise avec Noella Arsenault, figure de proue de la cause Arsenault-Cameron, à l’occasion de l’Institut « Allumez l’étincelle » qui s’est déroulé à Moncton en août 2024). *************************************** Access to a French-language education in Canada remains a constant battle. Twenty-five years ago, on January 13, 2000, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered its decision in the Arsenault-Cameron case from Prince Edward Island, an important ruling that continues to shape the right to minority language education. We salute those who work tirelessly to make our official language minority communities places where people can be educated in their language and thrive in their culture. (Photo taken with Noella Arsenault, a leading figure in the Arsenault-Cameron case, at the Institut « Allumez l’étincelle » held in Moncton in August 2024) @RachelBendayan @GinettePT @CSC_fra @SCC_eng @CLOduCanada @OCOLCanada @fcfacanada @Gouv_NB @Gov_NB

Wishing a very happy #OrthodoxChristmas to those celebrating! We hope that it is filled with warmth, festivities, and cherished time with your loved ones.

#DYK? Senate pages are a group of undergraduate students in diverse fields of study from across the country, who work part-time at the Senate! Applications are open for 2025-26 — don’t miss this chance to apply for a rewarding and memorable job! Learn more and apply by January 26, 2025: sencanada.ca/en/about/caree… #SenCA

It was a privilege to return to Ottawa this weekend to preside over a King Charles III Coronation Medal Ceremony in the Senate Chamber, recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to our communities. I want to take a moment to publicly thank the Parliamentary Protective Service and the Senate administration for accommodating our group on a snowy Saturday morning and making every effort to ensure the ceremony was a great success. Each time I come to work in Ottawa, I feel safe and secure, thanks to the outstanding Senate security team. Your professionalism and unwavering dedication allow us to focus on serving Canadians. Your work does not go unnoticed. Thank you for all you do to keep us safe. ******* J’ai eu le privilège de revenir à Ottawa ce week-end pour présider une cérémonie de la Médaille du couronnement du roi Charles III dans la salle du Sénat, afin de rendre hommage à ceux et celles qui ont fait des contributions remarquables à leurs communautés. Je tiens à prendre un moment pour remercier publiquement les Services de protection parlementaire et l’administration du Sénat qui ont accueilli notre groupe en ce samedi matin enneigé et qui ont tout mis en œuvre pour faire de la cérémonie un franc succès. Chaque fois que je viens travailler à Ottawa, je me sens en sécurité grâce à l’équipe exceptionnelle de sécurité du Sénat. Votre professionnalisme et votre dévouement constant nous permettent d’accomplir notre travail parlementaire dans un environnement sécuritaire. Votre travail est reconnu et apprécié. Merci pour tout ce que vous faites pour assurer notre sécurité.

This Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, let us stand alongside those who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease through continued advocacy, research, and support. #EndAlzheimers