Mr. Speaker, representatives from all political parties gathered this morning in the rotunda of the Manitoba legislature to unveil a plaque to commemorate Father Noël Joseph Richot.
Father Richot was an adviser to Louis Riel and led the delegation that negotiated the terms of the Red River Colony's entry into confederation. Through his arguments, the colony obtained provincial status and bilingual and bicultural institutions. Father Richot worked to expand the francophone population in Manitoba.
With this 125th anniversary of Manitoba's entry into confederation, it is appropriate to honour Father Richot at the Manitoba legislature, a provincial institution he helped create.