Mr. Speaker, it is with bittersweet thankfulness that I stand and recognize the life and legacy of Dr. Jake Letkeman. A pillar of our communities, he was a once-in-a-lifetime, larger-than-life man who knew that his faith had called him to live a life in service to others. He did that joyfully and with abundant love.
Dr. Jake recognized the health care struggles in Saskatchewan's rural north. He delivered thousands of babies and spent decades travelling to provide ultrasounds and other maternal care to expectant mothers. Holidays for Jake, his wife Myrna and his family would often mean being overseas, helping in clinics in smaller communities or helping rebuild homes after a hurricane.
One of the most lasting legacies Jake left in the community of Meadow Lake was as a founder of Door of Hope, a food bank and life skills organization that serves the most vulnerable and marginalized people in our community.
He was a man who was known by some as father, papa or doctor, but known by all as friend. Today, I ask all to celebrate the life of Dr. Jake Letkeman with me.