Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a new Bloc Québécois colleague and an old friend, the member for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles. This weekend, friends and colleagues will celebrate, during an evening of tribute in Quebec City, his work with the Canadian Auto Workers, where he was the Quebec Director for 13 years.
Throughout his union career, he was involved in many different labour negotiations. In 1995, during the long lockout that saw 500 Kenworth employees on the streets, he played a major role in the re-opening of the plant, renamed Paccar.
A convinced and convincing unionist, he made a name for himself as a progressive militant engaged in defending the aspirations of Quebec workers. He was just as committed to the fight for greater social justice as he was for Quebec sovereignty. The Bloc Québécois is proud of the addition of the member for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles to its grass roots and parliamentary team.
Bravo!