Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to draw attention to the election of Alban D'Amours as the head of the Mouvement des caisses populaires Desjardins, succeeding Claude Béland, who had held that position since 1987.
Mr. D'Amours has been on the executive of the Mouvement Desjardins for 12 years. He was a Quebec public servant, holding the positions of Deputy Minister of Revenue and Associate Deputy Minister of Energy. He also taught at the University of Minnesota and the University of Sherbrooke, where he was involved in the creation of the Institut de recherche sur les coopératives.
The Mouvement des caisses populaires Desjardins is the top financial institution in Quebec and the sixth in Canada. Co-operatives educate. Co-operatives develop. Co-operatives democratize. Co-operatives create solidarity.
Congratulations Mr. D'Amours.