Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Mark Dunn, a distinguished member of the Press Gallery, who we lost far too soon.
Mark loved and served Canada with all his heart and soul. He served his country throughout his remarkable career in journalism and as senior advisor to the hon. Denis Coderre and to yours truly, when I was leader of the opposition.
Mark was a consummate professional whose rigour and discretion were matched only by his sharp wit.
Mark Dunn's politics were grounded in the relentless pursuit of truth and authenticity. He was a teacher to countless young staff and parliamentarians, who enjoyed both his tough advice and the bonhomie that followed.
I wish I could share stories from some of his more colourful briefings, but Mark's vocabulary was as unparliamentary as it gets.
To all those who loved him, and especially Gloria, we in Canada's House of Commons grieve with them. We are also thankful for the times we had with Mark and what he gave our country, which he knew so well and loved so much.
Rest in peace, Mark.