After nearly 16 years as a Senator, Don Plett of Steinbach has served his last day in the Red Chamber, bidding farewell to Parliament Hill. Plett retired on Wednesday, after reaching the age of 75.
Plett was appointed to the Senate in August 2009, by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Prior to that, he served as President of the Conservative Party of Canada for seven years. Plett says while young people look forward to birthdays, older people do not find them quite as much fun, and for him, this week's birthday was significant. Though Senators are appointed for life, they must retire at the age of 75.
"As of 12:01 am (Wednesday), my duties as Senator are complete," says Plett.
Plett says the timing of his retirement is actually quite convenient. The Senate has not been sitting since mid-December, due in large part to the Prime Minister proroguing Parliament, followed by an election. Plett says if we were currently in the middle of a session, he might literally have gone from delivering a speech in the Senate on Monday to presenting his farewell speech on Tuesday and then walking out of the Chamber one last time.
Further to that, Plett says the fact that we are nearing summer will make it easier for him to find other ways to stay busy, including spending time on the golf course and watching his grandchildren play baseball.
Plett says retirement is bittersweet.
"I will miss it absolutely," he says. "I will I'm sure have moments of nostalgia, other things, when I watch them in the Senate, which might be one or two sessions, and I think then I will have had enough. I will not miss the grind of the travel. But I will miss being here. I have enjoyed my time."
Plett says a few weeks ago he gave a farewell speech to a crowded Chamber. He calls it humbling to know that there are people out there who believe that he has represented them well.
"I only hope and pray that I have done that," he says. "It's been a humbling experience that I will forever be grateful that I had the opportunity to take part in."
In a telephone interview with SteinbachOnline this week, Plett called from Ottawa while taking a break from closing his office. He calls this a sentimental time.
"As we're talking here right now, I'm sitting in my office and most of my pictures are off the wall," he says. "My carvings and so on and so forth are all off the shelves."
Plett says he has graciously been given ample time to clean up his office and so in mid-June, he will drive to Ottawa with his wife to officially wrap things up and to say goodbye to some of his colleagues.
"Especially when your caucus gets a little smaller, as ours has over the years, you're a family," he describes. "And so, this is similar to when a different family member packs up and moves away."
Yet, Plett says he does not expect to be a stranger to Parliament Hill.
"I certainly look forward to occasionally coming back here and making a nuisance of myself here on the Hill by offering some suggestions that of course will be worth exactly what they pay for them," jokes Plett. "But, nevertheless, (I) look forward to possibly doing some of that."
Plett says unfortunately most of his years as a Senator were while the Conservatives were in opposition. He served the first six years while the Conservatives were in power and the last 9+ years with the Liberals in power.
"You don't see many monuments erected to critics and unfortunately a good part of my time here has been being the critic because we are in opposition," he explains. "I have fought hopefully the good fight in trying to keep the government's feet to the fire, trying to slow down bad legislation."
Plett says he has never believed that the Senate should defeat government legislation but should rather give a very sober second thought. He adds they should try to improve legislation.
"I take pride in the fact that I was able, opinionated as I am, I was able to collaborate and work across the aisle with the government in timing of legislation," he says. "That has definitely been a highlight of mine in being able to do that, in being able to bring that sober second thought."
Plett says at the end of the day, he is responsible for the battles that he fights, and he hopes and prays every day that he did his job to the best of his ability.
"I have never shied away from stating an opinion, I have never shied away from fighting the fight," says Plett. "I played hockey with my elbows up and I played politics with my elbows up. And I was open and honest I believe in every speech I made."
Plett says he left it all out there, stating emphatically that he could not have fought harder than he did.
"My pastor told me one day, you are responsible for fighting the battle, you are not responsible for winning the war," says Plett. "I've always taken that as encouragement, and I believe that I have indeed fought that battle and if I have one regret it's that I couldn't be here a little longer and maybe have won some, of those but hopefully that will happen in due course."
As mentioned earlier, the extra time on his hands will allow Plett to play more golf with his wife, watch more of his grandkids' sporting events or dance recitals, and travel.
"We're going to spend the first year doing things of leisure," he says. "And I'm of the mindset, at 76 I won't necessarily be looking for a lot of work to do."
And, finally, Plett says he is forever grateful for the support he has received from coast to coast. Plett says he has always been of the mindset that there is no end to what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.
"I believe I have lived most of my life for that," he says. "I am proud, so proud of the fact that some of my best friends in Ottawa do not have the same political leanings as I do. But we work together on issues of common interest."
Plett says when he was appointed to the Senate back in 2009, fewer than 1,000 people had ever been appointed to the Senate. He notes to have been part of a select, small group of people to serve as Senators, is something he holds dearly and he thanks all of Canada, and particularly southeastern Manitoba for supporting him.