Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour a remarkable woman, Irene Mathyssen.
Irene devoted her life to public service and to building a more just society. As a leader, teacher, community activist, cabinet minister, MPP for Middlesex and MP for London—Fanshawe, she championed equality, human rights, women's rights and a stronger social safety net for all.
Irene was known for her warmth, her humour, her kindness, her strength and her conviction. She treated everyone with respect and believed in leaving the world a better place.
I was fortunate to learn from Irene and work alongside her and her daughter, former MP Lindsay Mathyssen, who said that losing her mother has left an indescribable emptiness, but that her legacy, the values she instilled, the example she set and the love she gave so freely to those who knew her will continue to guide us.
Let us honour Irene by carrying her legacy forward.