Mr. Speaker, Sunday was International Women's Day, and I would like to talk about a courageous and determined woman of faith, my aunt Rose-Emma Lavoie. She was a nun by profession and she ran a school for young girls in Haiti for over 20 years.
In often extremely difficult conditions, she taught them much more than the curriculum. She taught them to believe in themselves, to take their place in life and to hope for a better future. Despite overwhelming obstacles, poverty and challenges, her courage and hope never wavered.
Near the end of her life, she came back to Canada. She wanted to tell her story, bear witness to what she had seen and done, and share her hopes for these young women she loved so much. Rose-Emma remains one the greatest women my wife and I have ever known.
Today, our daughter Emma-Rose is named after her, and she is very proud of that.