Mr. Speaker, on Friday, a number of us will be attending the funeral of a great man of ideas, Claude Ryan. I had the privilege of being an organizer and employee of the Quebec Liberal Party in 1979 and 1980 when Mr. Ryan was party leader.
I was a neophyte in politics and I was very lucky to have had as a leader and mentor Mr. Claude Ryan. Whenever one went into his office, or his confessional as we used to call it, one had better have been well prepared because he did not suffer fools lightly.
His work ethic, his exemplary hard work, intelligence, honesty and public service--as he used to say, longstanding tested principles--are a testament to all of us and principles we should all live up to.
I was fortunate enough to see him on occasion after I was elected, and he often told me that he watched the House of Commons proceedings and commended us all for truly serving the public.
Long live his memory.