November 30, 2004
Ottawa, Ontario

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The Right Honourable Kim Campbell, The Right Honourable Joe Clark, members of the House and Senate:

Let me begin by welcoming you all to the official unveiling of the portrait of Canada’s 19th Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Kim Campbell, a woman who began her working career as someone who lectured on politics, and whose legacy as this country’s first female prime minister means she will be forever lectured about.

Twenty years ago, Kim Campbell was a trustee for the Vancouver School Board. It was her first election to public office – and it was evident from her passion, her enthusiasm and her ability that it would not be her last.

Indeed, in 1988, she won a seat in the House of Commons and, not long after, a role in the federal cabinet as Minister of State for Indian Affairs and Northern Development. In 1990, she was named Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Three years later, she became this country’s first female Minister of Defence. And on June 25, 1993, Avril Phaedra Douglas Campbell was sworn in as Prime Minister of Canada.

In my time in politics, I’ve found that a person reveals much about his or her fundamental character by the manner in which he or she responds when confronted by adversity and disappointment. Perhaps that is why I so clearly remember the words of Kim Campbell on the night of October 25, 1993.

Certainly, the evening in question brought for her ample quantities of adversity and disappointment. But when the election results were in, Prime Minister Campbell stood up in front of the nation. She had a smile on her face. And her first words to the people of Canada were: “Gee, I’m glad I didn’t sell my car.”

Many in that position might have succumbed to despair, not only on that night but in the months and years that followed. But you, Ms. Campbell, did not. You instead pressed ahead with grace and good humour, with ambition and curiosity. You built a new and successful career as a representative of our country abroad, as an academic at Harvard, and as a tireless promoter of women in governance and in leadership roles throughout the world.

At the Kennedy School, as Chair of the Council for Women World Leaders, as an active member of the Club of Madrid, an organization of former heads of state and government, you have made a distinguished and valuable contribution to the understanding of political culture, political power and leadership in democratic societies. More than that, you have made Canadians proud.

Perhaps most impressive of all, I saw you once on the same talk-show panel as Michael Moore – and you more than held your own, in substance and in volume. Even for a former politician, it’s difficult to imagine a more formidable challenge.

This hallway holds images of some of this country’s great leaders. They have in common an abiding affection for politics and a deep love of Canada. It is a great privilege to be here this afternoon to honour the pioneer who is responsible for giving this corridor a female presence.

We can only regret that the Right Honourable Ellen Fairclough is not here with us to take part in this ceremony. It was she, as the first woman cabinet minister in the Canadian government, who so elegantly passed the torch to you at the Progressive Conservative leadership convention in 1993. This would have been a proud and moving moment for her.

Ms. Campbell, throughout your political career and after it, you have defined yourself as a woman of courage and tenacity, optimism and wit. You have done so during the proudest moments of your life, and the most difficult.

On behalf of all members of Parliament, and indeed all Canadians, I thank you for your service to our country and congratulate you on today’s great honour.