I must admit that I did not have high expectations for the agriculture committee. I only became a member because agriculture is particularly important to Saskatchewan. But we did a major soil health study that turned out better than I expected. As I mentioned before, at first I had my reservations, but I quickly got caught up in the game. It was a most enjoyable experience and the chair of this committee, Senator Rob Black, is incredibly dedicated to agriculture.
Regarding the Legal Affairs Committee, I have done my best to lead a fair and neutral committee as Chairman. We had lively debates, but I found the committee members to be respectful. Finally, serving on the Committee on Senatorial Ethics and Conflict of Interest under the chairmanship of Senator Judith G. Seidman was a wonderful experience.
Additionally, the clerks and staff provide tremendous support to committees; they view the role of senator with so much respect that they have caused me to think more deeply about my role.
You have a reputation for telling funny stories and jokes in the House. How have you maintained your sense of humor despite working long days and nights in the Upper House?
I grew up in a united and loving family. My father was very kind and very gentle. He wasn’t so much an attention seeker, but he was often asked to host parties because he had a charming sense of humor. He used to say that to create a connection with your audience, you have to be warm. This makes it much easier for others to understand and accept what you are trying to say. I often look for opportunities to tell stories, as this usually helps capture people’s attention.
For example, Senator Paula Simons asked me to participate in her investigation into Canadian municipalities. I began my speech by recounting my first day at law school in Halifax. I had traveled by train from Moose Jaw to Nova Scotia, and I didn’t know anyone east of Toronto. I was sitting in the student lounge when a guy came up to me and introduced himself as Jim McPherson from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. I told him I was Brent Cotter from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. So he said to me: “In Lunenburg, we have a lot of traditions and ways of doing things. And I’m sure that in Moose Jaw too, there are a lot of traditions and ways of doing things. But at home, one of the things we don’t do is walk around with our flies open! »
I guess my fly was down and he noticed it from across the room. I used this funny, self-deprecating story to talk about how we connect with each other in our communities.
