Sen. Fabian Manning, of Newfoundland and Labrador, has been re-elected chair of the Senate fisheries committee for a 14th consecutive year, setting what colleagues say is a record for committee leadership in the upper chamber.“I never fished in my life,” Manning joked in the Senate chamber after being acclaimed to another term. Blacklock's Reporter said appointed in 2009, Manning has served on the fisheries committee ever since and has chaired it continuously since 2010.“I pride myself in ensuring everyone around the table has ample time to do their work,” he said. “We try our best not to bring partisan politics to the table even on serious issues from time to time. My record and those who have served with me will vouch for me on that.”.Sen. Marc Gold, the Government Representative in the Senate, acknowledged the milestone during debate. “I think it’s a record,” said Gold. “It’s a testament to the qualities you bring to that.” Manning quipped in response, “Flattery will get you everywhere.”Manning’s run adds him to a list of long-serving parliamentary figures. Sen. George-Casimir Dessaulles of Quebec sat on the Senate civil service committee for 12 years until his death at age 102 in 1930. Senators were appointed for life until a 1965 rule imposed mandatory retirement at 75.Sen. David Wark of New Brunswick served to age 101 after 59 years in public life and famously gave a speech in the Senate at age 100, once telling a reporter that skipping lunch was his secret to longevity.In the House of Commons, Bloc Québécois MP Louis Plamondon has served 28 years on the library committee, though never as chair. Now in his 40th year in Parliament and elected to a 13th term in 2024, Plamondon said he plans to stay for “two or three terms” more.The all-time Commons record for seniority belongs to Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier, who served 44 years and chaired the influential Commons selection committee for 15 years starting in 1896.
