Mr. Speaker, on Monday, September 9, 2013, three Canadians who had a passion for the Far North were the victims of a helicopter accident.
Today in the House, I would like to pay tribute to Klaus Hochheim, researcher; Daniel Dubé, helicopter pilot; and Marc Thibault, commander of the Amundsen, the Coast Guard icebreaker.
Commander Thibault was from the municipality of L'Islet-sur-Mer, in the riding I am privileged to represent. Commander Thibault provided support to scientists, rescued shipwrecked individuals and created trade routes. He did a great deal to ensure our country had a physical presence in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the sometimes hostile environments of Canada's North.
The remarkable skills of Coast Guard pilots and commanders make it easy for us to forget, in the comfort of our own homes, the heroic risks they sometimes take and their key role in building our national security and our country.
On behalf of all my constituents and the elected members of the House, I would like to extend our condolences to the grieving families and say how grateful to and proud we are of Marc Thibault, this son of the South Shore.