Mr. Speaker, on November 2 Father Louis Fournier of the Catholic Mission in Repulse Bay will be celebrating his 50th anniversary of priesthood and his 50th year in Nunavut.
Father Fournier, shortly after his ordination in France, came to northern Canada in 1952. Over his 50 years he has lived and worked in numerous communities such as Chesterfield Inlet, Igloolik, Iqaluit, Whale Cove and presently in Repulse Bay. Known “as the builder”, Father Fournier constructed many stone structures and monuments in the communities in which he lived and served. Father Fournier has taken an active role in ensuring Inuit culture is represented in the church as well as supporting cooperative movements in the community.
On behalf of my constituents of Nunavut I wish to congratulate Father Fournier on his 50 years of serving the people of the Arctic. We wish to thank Father Fournier for his generosity and sensitivity to the Inuit people and their culture.