Mr. Speaker, yesterday, December 9, our colleague Shaughnessy Cohen collapsed here in the House. Strongly committed to democratic values and deeply involved in the community, she had devoted herself to serving her constituents.
The member for Windsor—St. Clair is no longer with us, leaving behind a family, a profession and, I happen to know, a party that she loved.
Ms. Cohen was born in London, Ontario, on February 11, 1948. After graduating from the University of Windsor with a BA in English studies in 1969, she obtained an MA in sociology from the same university in 1973, followed by a law degree in 1977.
From 1971 to 1974, she taught at the St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology. From 1979 to 1993, she practised law, concentrating on criminal and labour law, and served as an assistant crown prosecutor.
She had represented the riding of Windsor—St. Clair since first being elected in 1993, and had chaired the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights since 1996. She was also well known as co-chair of the Liberal Party's caucus committee on gun control.
Having had the privilege of working closely with Ms. Cohen on the standing committee on justice, I can easily imagine how deeply her loss will be felt by the Liberal caucus.
Although we did not always see things the same way, I always respected Shaughnessy for her sense of professionalism and, above all, her passion for the law and for justice. There were many areas in which we shared the same ideals and values. Once again, although we did not always see eye to eye, we had great respect for each other.
I wish to offer my deepest condolences personally and on behalf of the Bloc Quebecois to her husband Jerome and her daughter Dena.
I believe strongly that it is by keeping someone's memory alive that we push back the boundaries of death. Those who had the honour of knowing you, Shaughnessy, will remember you as a woman of your word, and as a woman of action. Émile Henriot put it well when he wrote: “It is my firm belief that the dead live on in the memories of those they leave behind.”
We will not forget you, Shaughnessy. Thank you, Shaughnessy, for your time with us and your highly regarded devotion to your work.