Mr. Speaker, I would like the house to congratulate Louise Arbour, who was born in Montreal, who is the former prosecutor of the international criminal tribunal, and who is now a supreme court justice.
Madam Justice Arbour received the highest honour at La Presse 's 16th excellence gala, when she was named personality of the year. She also won the award in the “courage, humanism and personal accomplishment” category.
All agree that under the leadership of Louise Arbour, international justice took a giant step. Indeed, Louise Arbour showed unprecedented determination in prosecuting people suspected of war crimes all over the world. She did a great job in conditions that were sometimes unstable and very difficult.
Canada and the whole world are grateful to Louise Arbour for having shown such leadership in issues as complex and difficult as those of Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. International peace and justice are greatly indebted to her.
Congratulations to Louise Arbour and to all award winners at the gala.