OTTAWA (The News Desk) — After serving more than eight months as a senator-in-waiting, a Sea King helicopter of the Royal Canadian Navy was appointed to the upper house during an emotional ceremony on Tuesday.

The Sea King, bearing the tail number 12430, has served Canada dutifully for over 45 years, mostly as a helicopter.

“Obviously, I’m honoured. I never would have thought this would happen to me,” said the nearly half-century-old utility helicopter while preparing for takeoff after the ceremony.

“I was built for tactical deployment during anti-submarine warfare, not for politics.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who recently declared a moratorium on senate appointments, hoped the aircraft could serve as a new model for a senate plagued by scandal and controversy.

“Decades of service. Reliability. Decent lift capacity. These are the qualities we’re looking for in new senators,” said Harper. “These are qualities we’re looking forward to from the senate as a whole.”

The helicopter’s appointment came with near unanimous support from Parliament. Leader of the Opposition Thomas Mulcair agreed that the aircraft was perfectly suited for service in the upper house.

“This aircraft is old, increasingly decrepit, and of little further practical use. It is thus perfect for service in the Senate.” ♦

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