Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise today to pay tribute to renowned Franco-Ontarian journalist and columnist Denis Gratton, who left us on December 7. A native of Vanier, Mr. Gratton was a towering voice for the Ottawa—Vanier community and for Ontario's francophones.
A veteran scribe for the daily newspaper Le Droit, he not only wrote about the realities of everyday life but also gave a voice to the voiceless. His courage left an indelible mark, including the time in 1993 he accompanied Canadian peacekeepers in war-torn Bosnia. He played a key role at historic moments, such as when he supported the fight for Hôpital Montfort's survival. His commitment to the francophonie, his humanity and his ability to make us think, laugh and cry touched an entire community.
Denis was much more than a journalist. He was an ambassador for our culture and our rights. My thoughts are with his family. I am grateful to Denis for all that he did.