Mr. Speaker, there is an ache in our hearts today. Members of the House have lost a true and valued friend in the death yesterday of Ron Duhamel who served as the member for Saint Boniface from 1988 to early 2002 when he was appointed to the Senate.
It was a privilege and honour to work alongside Ron for nearly 14 years. He had a deep passion for Canada and I witnessed that each and every day he worked on Parliament Hill. He cared about people and understood that government played a vital role in improving the human condition. That made him an outstanding parliamentarian and public servant.
I will never forget his decency, his humanity and his kindness. To know him was to love him. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.
On behalf of my wife and myself, I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy to the Duhamel family.