Mr. Speaker, I knew Jean-Louis when he served in this House from 1979 to 1984 and I would like to remember him briefly.
He was a great believer in oral tradition, someone who liked to recount the history not only of his region but of his country. He had a rather difficult childhood. He was orphaned at an early age and had to work very hard. Jean-Louis had one ambition in life, namely to become a member of this House, and he fulfilled this goal in 1979.
Like the Prime Minister, I too remember very well that he was a great storyteller. His stories related to everyday events and could be told in public. He could capture an audience's attention because he was a great communicator and had a great ability to convey ideas.
A staunch federalist and Liberal supporter, Jean-Louis was always ready to espouse the federalist cause. I recall that during the 1980 referendum he was very active in his riding and worked hard here in caucus for the no side.
He had been a teacher once and had been actively involved in the church, in his region and in his community. I remember that he was criticized once for securing the funding needed to paint some of the churches in his riding. He was criticized, mainly by those in opposition at the time, for using federal funds for this purpose. I wondered if Jean-Louis should really have been criticized for creating jobs in his region, jobs involving renovations and church repairs.
In conclusion, I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to his wife Réjeanne and to their son Michel. On behalf of my colleagues in the Liberal caucus and all those who knew him, I wish his family well. May they find comfort in the knowledge that their lives have been enriched by this great man who served as the member for Richelieu.