Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to mark the passing of Paulette Duguay last month in St. Boniface, Manitoba.
Paulette was a tireless advocate for Métis and French-Canadian communities. She served as president of the Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba for 10 years, promoting reconciliation, preserving Métis culture and strengthening ties within the francophone community. Her commitment and impact were recognized nationally in 2024, when she received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her exceptional service.
Ms. Duguay influenced many people through her leadership, the relationships she built and the lives she touched. Her colleagues and friends remember her as a warm, generous and caring person. On behalf of the House, I extend my sincere condolences to her husband, Denis, her family, her friends and the many communities she served with such devotion.