Mr. Speaker, this month marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Jack Miner, Canada's greatest naturalist. Jack Miner is best known as the founder of the Jack Miner Sanctuary near Kingsville, Ontario.
Jack was an incredible person who was honoured by kings, queens, presidents and prime ministers for his great work in conservation. Jack was a very practical man who planted trees, not for a shady resting place for his retirement but for the appreciation and benefit of future generations.
He banded the legs of thousands of Canada geese to identify their North American flyways. By placing a line of scripture on the band he used these legions of geese to spread the gospel throughout North America.
To make certain this sanctuary would not be burdened by taxpayers, Jack Miner spent years lecturing about nature around the world. He set up a perpetual trust fund to pay for the operation of the Jack Miner Foundation.
Jack Miner's family, Manley, Jasper, Kirk, and Cheryl have dedicated their lives to carry on the great tradition of Jack Miner.