Mr. Speaker, with the death of Robert K. Irving earlier this month, New Brunswick has lost one of its greatest business and community leaders. Mr. Irving and his brother, Jim, were co-chief executive officers of J.D. Irving, Limited, which employs more than 20,000 New Brunswickers and drives economic activity that employs thousands more. At the time of his death, Robert Irving had been the face of JDI's operation in the greater Moncton area for nearly 50 years.
He was often the face of philanthropy in our community as well, publicly and privately contributing to more good causes, large and small, than anyone could count. Mr. Irving will also be remembered for his founding and ownership of the Moncton Wildcats, the Québec Maritimes Junior Hockey League team that delighted and inspired hockey fans from around New Brunswick and also across Canada.
On behalf of the people of Moncton—Dieppe and the entire community, I want to offer my sincere condolences to his wife, Jill, to his four children and to his entire family. May he rest in peace.