Mr. Speaker in 1961, a young man of modest means started a small retail shop in the Byward Market, moments from where we now stand.
Now almost five decades later, Giant Tiger employs 6,000 people, has over $1 billion in sales and gives roughly $2 million annually to small charities across the land.
That is why I am pleased to honour company founder Gordon Reid who is this year's winner of the Retail Council of Canada's lifetime achievement award. He had his first retail job at age 16, and now at age 76 he still works six days a week. His business success is based on meticulous attention to his customers. His personal trademark is a gentle humility.
That is why, to all who know him, Gordon Reid is a true Canadian giant.