Madam Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to my friend Father Hamish Currie, who passed away recently at the age of 73.
He married Lisa and I and baptized my kids, and he was a supporter throughout my political career.
Ordained in 1980, he served in the Soo and in Wawa. He used to reach out personally to people who were struggling, offering comfort and support beyond the pulpit. He was deeply committed to fostering unity, and he regularly engaged with leaders of other faiths to build bridges and promote unity in my community and beyond.
He was also a man of artistic talents: a pianist, a violinist with the Sault Symphony Orchestra for 27 years, and an occasional actor, appearing in local productions such as Les Misérables and A Christmas Carol and playing Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar.
His life was one of service, kindness and faith, a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew him.