Mr. Speaker, history often forgets the accomplishments of women. Today, on the 375th anniversary of the City of Montreal, there is one woman in particular that I want to honour for her role in the founding of this wonderful city. I am talking about Jeanne Mance.
On May 17, 1642, Jeanne Mance and Paul de Chomedey arrived on the shores of the Lachine Rapids and built Fort Ville-Marie, which would become Montreal. In addition to providing stewardship of the colony and managing supplies, this young French woman also founded and administered a hospital that treated the French and indigenous peoples alike. The hospital was funded by another woman, Madame de Bullion. The Hôtel-Dieu remains one of the largest hospitals in Montreal. Jeanne Mance managed to revive the colony on more than one occasion.
Today I want to wish all Montrealers a happy anniversary and I tip my hat to Jeanne Mance, co-founder of the city and a key figure in its history and survival.