Mr. Speaker, last week we lost a great friend, mentor, advocate, and community builder, who passed away as a result of a sudden heart attack. Pierre de Blois was a generous, kind-hearted man who had a larger-than-life personality and whose personal motto was carpe diem. He worked as a senior executive at the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages and as executive director of the Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service. His greatest impact may have been his involvement with his community, where he pursued his passions for social justice, human rights, and the development of the National Capital Region. He was a co-founder of the Festival franco-ontarien, president of ACFO Ottawa, and member of the University of Ottawa Board of Governors.
Thank you, Pierre, for your your tremendous contribution, your dedication, your outstanding work, and your zest for life.
I offer my condolences to his wife, Deb Spurr, his family, and his loved ones.
Pierre, we will all of us miss you very much.