Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to the winners of tourism awards at the 15th Grands Prix du tourisme de l'Outaouais gala, and more particularly to Jean Gauthier, who was named Person of the Year.
Mr. Gauthier was singled out for his exceptional efforts to turn the steam train that runs from Hull to Wakefield through Chelsea and back into a top tourist attraction in the Outaouais.
All the other winners make the region a very popular tourist destination as well. They are: the Buckingham en fête festival, Café Henry Burger, the Au Charme de la montagne bed and breakfast, the Maison des merisiers inn, the Château Cartier, Esprit Rafting, Maestro Limousine, the Laurier sur Montcalm, Baccara and Ferme rouge restaurants, Gatineau Park, the Keskinada Loppet, and the Casino de Hull fireworks display.
These award recipients are proof of the joie de vivre and exuberance of the greater Outaouais region. I congratulate the Outaouais Tourist Association for its excellent work.
And to everyone at the Grands Prix du tourisme Québécois, Quebec's tourism awards gala, I offer my warmest congratulations and best wishes for good luck.