Mr. Speaker, Eudore Fortin's story began in Saint‑Urbain in the 1930s.
In his teens, Mr. Fortin worked as a lookout atop a fire tower. As a log driver and a lumberman, he came to know our forests and mountains exceptionally well, one step at a time.
His greatest ambition was to share these wonderful places with others. In the late 1970s, with vision and determination, he founded the Traversée de Charlevoix trail. He devoted decades to clearing and developing nearly 105 kilometres of trails, giving countless hikers a chance to experience the beauty of our forests.
Thanks to him, thousands of people took to the trails. Thanks to him, thousands of people went further than they thought possible. Thanks to him, thousands of people fell in love with Charlevoix.
His perseverance is also a great inspiration to the Quebec nation. His work leaves a legacy for the generations that will follow in our footsteps.
Mr. Fortin blazed a trail through our mountains and left a lasting mark on our history.