Mr. Speaker, it being the 125th anniversary of Desjardins Group, it is an honour for me, as a resident of Lévis, to pay tribute to Alphonse and Dorimène Desjardins, founders of what has become the largest co-operative financial group in North America and one of Quebec's largest private employers.
The first caisse populaire, the Caisse populaire de Lévis, was founded in December 1900, when 132 people signed the founding social pact. Since then, Quebeckers have not wavered in their commitment to this institution. With some seven million members and branches throughout the regions, Desjardins is now a key player in Quebec's economic development, as well as an important player elsewhere in Canada and beyond our borders.
I applaud the vision of Alphonse and Dorimène, their enduring values of justice and solidarity, and all the employees who, over the decades, have made Desjardins a co-operative that inspires immense pride. I also applaud Denis Dubois, president and CEO of Desjardins Group, who is with us today in Ottawa.