Mr. Speaker, like all Quebeckers and Canadians, we were dismayed to hear of the crash of Swissair Flight 111 on September 2.
The following day, on behalf of my Bloc Quebecois colleagues and all Quebeckers, I offered my deepest condolences to the families of those who perished in the tragedy off Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia. Our heartfelt sympathy continues to go out to the families of victims.
I wish to offer special condolences to the friends and relatives of Yves de Roussan, a Quebecker working for UNICEF, who was among the victims.
The loss of over 200 lives in such circumstances is a shock to each and every one of us. It is a stroke of fate to which we cannot remain indifferent.
The loss of a loved one creates a void that is difficult to fill and reveals to us just how powerless we are in the face of such extraordinary events.
I can still see the quiet ceremony during which tribute was paid to the victims. Friends and relatives of these passengers on what was to have been an uneventful flight gathered to express their love for those who had perished. It was a very moving moment.
I would also like to mention the hard work and compassion of those who rushed to the scene of the accident in the hope of rescuing survivors.
Their efforts were unfortunately in vain, but I think I can safely say that their presence and their concern for the families of victims were a great comfort. I would like to thank all of them for their tremendous compassion.