Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a tremendous person, an exemplary public servant and an exceptional community leader.
Ned MacDonald, a long-serving councillor in the municipality of the county of Inverness, died unexpectedly on April 23. He was 63 years old.
An educator by profession, Ned was a true inspiration to the many students who passed through his classroom over the years. His love for teaching was rivaled only by his passion for history, which was evident in his tireless work to establish the Inverness Miner's Museum and the many books he wrote on the history of Inverness.
Ned MacDonald served the people of Inverness and area as councillor for two decades. The community has lost a special son and one of its greatest champions.
On behalf of myself and all constituents in Cape Breton—Canso, I want to acknowledge Ned's priceless contribution to life in his community and offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Abby, and his two daughters, Janna and Breanna.