Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a fellow elected official from my riding of Cape Breton--Canso.
Ed MacDonald, a former warden of Inverness County, passed away earlier this month.
Red Eddie, as he was known, had a distinguished career in municipal politics. Over a quarter century he was elected to nine terms as councillor and three terms as warden.
He was a true servant of the people he represented, anything but shy about making his voice heard when it came to speaking up for his constituents.
When asked to comment on Ed's legacy, long-time Port Hawkesbury mayor Billy Joe MacLean, who fought beside him on some issues and against him on a number of others, stated that in his career he had never come across anybody more stubborn or bull-headed than Red Eddie MacDonald. In speaking with Ed's wife, Mary Jess, a few days later, we agreed that Eddie would have worn those words as a badge of honour.
On behalf of my constituents of Cape Breton--Canso and members in the House, I offer my condolences to Mary Jess and all of Ed's family.