Mr. Speaker, we all know that moments of sudden tragedy can arrive that seem to stop the world for a moment and which remind us starkly of what really matters in life: the eternal things like faith and friendship.
Such a moment arrived for many members of this House last Friday when we learned that a dear friend and colleague, Peter Naglik, was tragically taken from us in a car accident.
Peter was well-known to many of us through his lifetime of service to his province and country through the democratic process. He was a stalwart advisor and speech writer in both the Ontario provincial parliament and this House where he served many MPPs and MPs, including former Premier Harris and the current Minister of Public Safety.
He brought his gentle spirit and special élan to dozens of campaigns as one of the leading conservative activists of his generation.
There are members of this place whose election would have been impossible without Peter's dedication and professionalism.
As all who knew him can attest, Peter was a man of deep conviction and enormous kindness. We are consoled only by the knowledge that he lived and died with a strong Catholic faith.
We mourn his passing with his family, his beloved Rossana and her daughters, Rebecca and Leah.
Requiescat in pace aeternam, Peter.