Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, Welland lost a friend and champion of the little guy. Peter Kormos died at 60. The key to Peter's political life was an unswerving commitment to the strifes and struggles of workers and the oppressed. He had a generous personality, a character of great empathy, an understanding of both the large and small things of life and boundless energy mixed with an infectious wit and sometimes outrageous repartee.
His passionate intelligent politics influenced everything about his life. A gifted orator, Peter combined political courage with unwaivering conviction and became a consistent irritant to those of every political stripe who betrayed the trust of those who elected them. His commitment to working-class struggles was matched by his humour, his wealth of knowledge and wise judgment.
When the news of his passing emerged, the entire community went into a state of mourning. We will miss the man who was on a first-name basis with everyone and always greeted them with a hearty “howdy”, the man who met them at the legion, the picket line, the cultural events and the Welland Farmers' Market.
Every community deserves a Peter Kormos. We were fortunate enough to have had one. Rest well, my friend.