Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight the exceptional work of a visual artist from Matane named Philippe Giroux.
His work has long resonated with people outside our region, but now he can add prestigious international recognition to that list. On October 6, the Société académique Arts-Sciences-Lettres de Paris awarded Philippe Giroux the gold medal for his body of work.
The ordinary guy from back home who paints our rivers, and more specifically the Matane River and its wildlife, is a true ambassador for the region. His works have found homes all over the world, including the United States, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom and the Bahamas. Over the years, the painter-who-fishes has garnered dozens of international awards and widespread recognition. In fact, the Mondial Art Academia has honoured him for several of his paintings.
Philippe is a source of pride for our region. I thank him for showcasing our part of the country as magnificently as he does. I congratulate him and wish him all the best for the future.