Mr. Speaker, today, I am rising to pay tribute to the late Jacques St‑Jean, a passionate man who devoted 24 years of his life to serving the community of Saint‑François in Laval.
Jacques was a man with a larger-than-life personality and a heart of gold. His door was always open and he was always willing to help others. I met him when he was serving as a city councillor. He knew his constituents well and was deeply committed to their well-being.
A sports enthusiast and an extraordinary teacher, he founded a hockey school and devoted his energy to helping young people by passing on key values, such as perseverance, respect and solidarity. This visionary also helped establish the Montreal Heart Institute's EPIC Centre in 1969 and supported many local projects to promote Quebec culture.
His tireless dedication and kindness left a lasting impression on his community, and he continues to inspire all who knew him every day.
I hope my dear friend Jacques will rest in peace.