Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart today to pay tribute to one of Oshawa's most devoted and generous community leaders, David Burns, who passed away this past Wednesday.
Dave was the cherished husband of Christine for 62 years, a loving father and proud grandfather. Born in Halifax, he moved to Ontario to start a life grounded in faith, family and later politics.
While his family will miss him terribly, he also leaves a deep void in Oshawa's tightly woven Conservative family. He was a long-time federal PC supporter who would become one of Oshawa's original Reformers, and in 2004, he became a founding member and director of the Oshawa Conservative Association, which he served continuously until just last year.
From the nineties through to my own campaign last year, Dave was on the front lines of nearly every single Oshawa election. Known for his dry humour and quick wit, he was a passionate man who stood unapologetically for his principles. That is the man our team and I will miss and remember.
I thank Dave for his unwavering service, humour and generosity. May God bless Christine and the entire Burns family.