Mr. Speaker, it is a great honour for me and for the Bloc Quebecois to draw to members' attention the presence in the gallery of a leading figure of contemporary Quebec.
A forerunner and visionary, he was for more than 30 years the tireless architect and builder of institutions which have, over the years, become powerful economic and financial forces in the development of modern Quebec.
His accomplishments include helping to establish the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and the Société générale de financement, the effectiveness and usefulness of which are recognized both in Quebec and abroad.
His many achievements and public activities have instilled in Quebecers a confidence in their own abilities and a well-grounded determination with which they are today calmly taking up the challenges of an increasingly global economy.
I urge members of the House to give a warm welcome to the former Premier of Quebec, Jacques Parizeau.