Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour the remarkable life of William Herbert Loewen, an entrepreneur and patron of the arts. Bill passed away in Winnipeg on February 4 at the age of 95. He was predeceased by his equally remarkable wife, Shirley, and is survived by their children, Ann, Howard, Louise, Peter and Jennifer, as well as many loved ones.
From modest prairie roots, Bill founded Comcheq Services Limited and built it into Canada’s largest independent payroll service provider. Bill believed deeply in the power of the arts to enrich our spirits. He was a member of the Order of Canada and an honorary member of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the only person ever to receive that distinction.
Bill had a profound impact on many lives, including mine when he hired me at the age of 23. Canada is better because of Bill's leadership in business, his love of country, his passion for the arts and the tremendous example of his life.