Mr. Speaker, this year, the Association des libraires du Québec, the Quebec booksellers association, presented its award of excellence to my bookseller, Philippe Fortin-Villeneuve, from Librairie Marie-Laura.
Philippe is a real bookworm. If someone asks him about the great classics of Quebec literature, philosophy or sociology, he can make recommendations without even batting an eye. This champion of publishing, this knowledge-sharing literary scholar, has been a breath of fresh air for all readers in Saguenay with his great recommendations.
I would urge everyone to go and meet him. His overwhelming enthusiasm is enough to turn anyone into an avid reader.
This is the third time that Librairie Marie-Laura has won this prestigious award. Once again, my region is showing that, when it comes to literature, we are no dummies.
As Dany Laferrière said, “Reading is not necessary for the body, only oxygen is, but a good book oxygenates the mind.” I hope Philippe will help us oxygenate our minds for a long time to come.