Mr. Speaker, I rise with great sadness to honour to Ethel Côté, who passed away after a battle with cancer.
Her family paid tribute to her memory, saying that her unwavering commitment to educating, listening to, supporting and, above all, inspiring everyone she met has left an indelible mark on the lives she touched.
A pioneer of the social economy, she founded several organizations, including MécènESS, and contributed to the creation and development of nearly 1,000 community organizations.
As founding president of La Nouvelle Scène and an associate professor at the Université de l'Ontario français, she was known for her collaborative approach and innovative beliefs. She was committed to building a more just, equitable and caring society.
She was selected as a 2015 champion of women's economic empowerment by the UN. She was also appointed to the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario and the Ordre de la Pléiade and was awarded a Prix Saphir.
The loss of this beloved mother and grandmother will leave a huge void in the Franco-Ontarian community and the wider world. I offer my sincere condolences to her family and her loved ones.