Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Canadian Alliance I rise today to pay tribute to our distinguished friend and colleague, Senator Ron Duhamel.
Prior to his appointment to the Senate, Senator Duhamel served his country as a senior cabinet minister in the federal government, and before that his public service included holding the position of assistant deputy minister in the Department of Education in Manitoba.
As a former public servant in Manitoba as well, I can advise the House that he had a reputation as a distinguished public administrator.
As many members know, he received the Lieutenant Governor's Medal for Excellence in Public Administration in 1997.
Senator Duhamel also had a close connection to many francophone communities in my riding of Provencher. He understood better than many the concerns of that rural francophone minority.
Senator Duhamel will be missed by all Manitobans, including his former constituents who were well served by him for many years.
I wish to extend our condolences to his family and to his many friends.