Marcel Prud’homme gave a lifetime of service to Canada and the world

Former Canadian ambassador Chris Westdal with former Senator Marcel Prud'homme at a Russian Victory Day reception in 2014. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia OTTAWA—Marcel Prud’homme regrettably passed away on Jan. 25. He was once Canada’s longest-serving Parliamentarian, dedicating almost 46 years as a Member of Parliament and Senator, serving under nine prime ministers, and contributing to Canadian political life for almost 60 years. While he was active throughout his parliamentary career in support of social justice and peace around the world, from Russia to China, he was most recognized for being the strongest Parliamentarian-advocate for peace in the Arab world. Then-Algerian ambassador Smail Benamara with former Sen. Prud’homme at an Canada-Arab Business Council event in Ottawa in 2014. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia He was the founding chairman of the Canada-Arab World Parliamentary Association, and was awarded no less than 10 medals and honours recognizing his achievements, from the Order of the Throne of Alaouite from King Mohammed VI of Morocco to an honorary doctorate from the University of Benyoucef Benkhedda in Algeria. First elected to Parliament on Feb. 10, 1964 in the constituency of Saint Denis, Que., Sen. Prud’homme would come to represent these constituents throughout his life. Even after his service in the House of Commons, when he was appointed Senator, he remained committed to serving the people of his former riding. What’s more, they had come to represent an extended family for him. He knew the name of each new baby, attended weddings as a family member would, and marched proudly in the annual Greek Independence Day parade. He was proud not just of the cultural diversity of his riding, with residents from Armenia to Lebanon, but also of the religious diversity it held. Born to Dr. Hector Prud’homme, who served in this same community as the local physician, delivering most of the babies in the region, and a mother who was a political advocate in her own right, Sen. Prud’homme was brought up understanding the concept of community service, and living each day with his community as his extended family. The Senator became involved in political issues as a young activist, but he would refer to his first real involvement with the Arab world when he volunteered his service, along with University of Ottawa students to assist the embassy of Egypt in Ottawa during the Suez Canal crisis in 1956. By February 1970, he travelled to Egypt at the invitation of President Gamal Abdel Nasser to take part in the International Conference of Parliamentarians for Peace in the Middle East, where he was one of only a few Western delegates in attendance. While in the Middle East and North Africa, Sen. Prud’homme visited Palestinian refugee camps in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon and witnessed firsthand the urgent need to develop a global solution to end the dire situation facing the Palestinian people. Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, with Sen. Prud'homme in the Senate Chamber. Photograph courtesy of the UAE Embassy It was at this time that he would recall that he felt compelled to act, to give voice back to the voiceless and power back to the disempowered. With every new opportunity, the Senator courageously spoke out about the collective responsibility of the international community in constructing the Palestinian tragedy. He worked tirelessly to remind Canadians about United Nations Resolution 181, which provided for the partition of Palestine into two states. For over 40 years he called for a return to the spirit of this resolution. The Senator would often remind us of the positive connection between Canada and the Arab world in Resolution 181. Canadian Justice Ivan Rand of the Supreme Court (at the time) helped draft it, and then-deputy foreign minister Lester B. Pearson—a future Nobel Peace Prize winner and prime minister—took part in its adoption. The Senator also travelled to the United Arab Emirates at the invitation of our government in 1997 to participate in a conference on Islam, and immediately bonded with our founding president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with their shared notions of regional peace and security. I recall fondly that the Senator was one of the first individuals who so warmly greeted me upon my arrival in Canada, and made me feel truly welcome. He was a true diplomat, welcoming each new head of mission and connecting us to the Canadian Parliamentarians we would come to work with. His noble courage stood the test of time. He stood unwavering in his principles to protect the ideals of justice, equality, tolerance, and good governance. He selflessly gave to Canadians, to Parliament, to the Arab world, to the diplomatic community, to his constituency, and to the global community. His was committed to the principle that dialogue is the only way to solve international conflict and build stronger relations among nations and this is a model for all to follow. His personal friendship was of the dearest to me during my time in Canada, and I will not soon forget this remarkable individual. He was a colleague, dear friend, and forever an elegant statesman like no other. He provided a lifetime of service to Canada and to the international community, and he will be forever missed. Mohammed Saif Helal Al Shehhi is the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates and dean of the Council of Arab League Ambassadors to Canada. The Hill Times

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Marcel Prud’homme gave a lifetime of service to Canada and the world

He was a colleague, dear friend, and forever an elegant statesman like no other.

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