Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark the passing of one of the great community builders in my region, Philippe Barrette.
Mr. Barrette dedicated more than 30 years of his life to politics. He served as chair of the Lac-Témiscamingue school board, as mayor of the Town of Temiscaming for 20 years, and as reeve of his RCM. I would like to point out that he was a great advocate for our region, and he worked closely with my father on the Abitibi-Témiscamingue district development council.
Mr. Barrette was also involved in the forestry sector for quite some time. He was a driving force behind the creation of the Organisme de bassin versant du Témiscamingue, our watershed organization. He helped create the Parc national d'Opémican, one of Quebec's newest gems. I find it particularly moving that Mr. Barrette was honoured in his lifetime, especially when he received the regional reeves medal in 2023.
I offer my sincere condolences to Thérèse, his wife of 65 years, as well as his children, Lise, Jean and Marc, his grandchildren, and his many friends and family.
I am grateful to Philippe. I will think of him every time I go by the park named after him, in the heart of his beautiful and beloved city. Farewell, Philippe.