Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to a grande dame of the francophone community in Canada.
Jeannine Séguin died yesterday in Cornwall at the age of 71. Francophone Ontario and the entire francophone community in Canada have lost one of their leading lights.
Vigorously and devotedly, Jeannine Séguin defended the rights of francophones and promoted the French language.
During her stint at the head of the École secondaire Saint-Laurent in Cornwall, not only did the school change its name to La Citadelle, but, in 1973, it became exclusively French.
Jeannine headed a number of organizations, such as the Association des enseignants franco-ontariens, the ACFO and the Fédération des francophones hors Québec.
In the Cornwall area, she was one of the founders of Pro-Action, which meets the basic needs of the francophone community by providing a link between it and government.
In 1962, she was awarded the papal medal Bene Merenti and, in 1985, she received the Order of Canada.
On behalf of my colleagues and all French Canadians, I offer my deepest sympathy to her family and friends.