Mr. Speaker, earlier today we received the sad news of the untimely death of Dick Martin, one of the best loved labour leaders in the country.
Dick was a former secretary treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress, a former president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour, a lifelong New Democrat and a true friend to working people in the country and around the world. Sometimes referred to as a diamond in the rough, he rose through the ranks from his days as a miner and a member of the United Steelworkers of America to become president of local 6166 in Thompson, Manitoba. He then became president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour before becoming executive vice president of the CLC in 1984.
On behalf of my colleagues and on behalf of my party, I want to extend our deepest condolences to his wife Cathy, his family Margaret, Ross and Jack, and to his countless friends in the trade union movement and in the health, safety and environmental communities.