On this date in 2005, Prime Minister Paul Martin reached across the partisan divided and appointed life-long Tory Hugh Segal, who lives here in Kingston, to the Red Chamber. A past chief-of-staff to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and a former senior advisor to legendary Ontario Premier William Davis, Segal’s appointment was celebrated by Canadians of all party views.As a senator, Segal continued his decades-long quest to see a guaranteed annual income (GAI) instituted in Canada. While a national GAI program remains elusive, when it does arrive it will do so in large part thanks to Segal’s efforts over many decades. Another priority for Senator Segal was his service as Canada’s representative on the Eminent Persons Group studying reform of the Commonwealth.Mr. Segal announced his resignation from the Red Chamber in December 2014. He later served with distinction as Master of Massey College and continues today to participate in a wide range of public policy debates.  For me, Hugh Segal has proved a friend who has supported my historical work in ways too numerous to mention. He is a remarkable man and Canadian.Birthday alert: Sending out birthday greetings to Perry Bellegarde, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.[caption id="attachment_582199" align="alignleft" width="194"] Art Milnes, Rt. Hon. Paul Martin and Senator Hugh Segal at the ceremonial tree-planting[/caption]