Mr. Speaker, Father Guindon has left us, but the marks of his time on Earth remain.
Beloved Father Guindon, you transformed the College of Bytown, a humble Catholic academy, into a public institution that has become the largest bilingual university in Canada, specifically mandated to advance the cause of the Franco-Ontarian community.
The people of Ottawa saw the results of your skilful negotiations with successive governments as the University of Ottawa grew and grew to become a major player in medicine, sciences, engineering, law, administration, education, the social sciences and the arts.
Let us not forget the numerous championships garnered by the Gee-Gees, the garnet and grey.
You also played an active role in creating the Fondation franco-ontarienne, which last year celebrated its first quarter century.
Tributes will come from those who, like me, became involved with the student federation and thereby also had the good fortune to work closely with you. That is where I was able to really get to know you, Father Guindon, as a wise, courageous and generous man.
On behalf of all those for whom the University of Ottawa is their alma mater, thank you so much, Roger Guindon, and may you rest in peace.