Mr. Speaker, every year, the Société franco-manitobaine pays tribute to a number of Manitoba francophones who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the community.
On October 22, the Riel awards were given to sculptor Marcien LeMay, posthumously, for arts and culture; to Louis Bernardin, for community development; and to Yvon Dumont, for his commitment to the francophone Métis community.
The award for communications went to Louis Paquin and Charles Lavack of Les Productions Rivard for their TV production and training activities.
The 2005 Gala des Lauriers de la PME, an award ceremony to recognize small businesses, was held the very same evening in Ottawa. Gérald Labossière of Assessment and Intelligence Systems was chosen from among competitors all across Canada for an award in the knowledge-based economy category for the excellence of his contribution to the Canadian economy as the head of a company in a francophone minority community.
Congratulations to all the winners.