Mr. Speaker, last night I had the honour of witnessing the appointment of John V. Basmajian to the Order of Canada as well as the promotion of the Right. Hon. Ellen Louks Fairclough within the Order of Canada at Rideau Hall.
Ellen Fairclough is widely respected and admired for her outstanding political, social and cultural contributions to Canada. In addition to representing my riding of Hamilton West in the House of Commons from 1950 to 1962, her appointment to the position of Secretary of State in 1957 made her Canada's first woman cabinet minister.
Professor Emeritus at McMaster University, John V. Basmajian greatly influenced generations of physicians in training. In addition to inventing several widely used medical devices, he is also a pioneer in the area of electromyography, which had a significant impact on the development of biofeedback techniques used for rehabilitation following injury to the central nervous system.
I know all members of this House will join me in honouring two outstanding Canadians: Professor John V. Basmajian, OC and the Right Hon. Ellen Louks Fairclough, PC, OC.