March 19, 2005

“I was saddened to learn of the death of the Honourable Royce Frith.

“Royce Frith’s life was one of devotion and service to his country for more than four decades.

“He was a reconciler, an advocate, a fighter for what Canada is, what Canada can be. We shall miss his forceful character, his love of Canada. His example will live on for all Canadians and for all those who aspire to serve our nation.

“Many Canadians will remember Royce Frith as Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom during the mid-1990s. There he served the interests of our country with unmistakable aplomb, but with fierce advocacy. He was a superb representative of Canada.

“But many Canadians will also remember him as an able, strong and accomplished Senator, who served in this capacity for more than a decade and a half. He brought to the Upper Chamber his formidable powers of intellect, persuasion and wisdom, eventually as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.

“His contribution to Canada went even deeper. As a Commissioner on the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism in the 1960s, he reminded us of the fundamental need to respect and uphold the two great languages and two great founding cultures of Canada – a vital breakthrough in the evolution of modern Canadian society.

“On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to express my condolences to the family of Royce Frith on the passing of a proud, ardent and devoted Canadian.”