Hon. Dennis Dawson: Honourable senators, it is with great emotion and true gratitude that I stand before you today to pay tribute to a remarkable individual who passed away on January 23. On my behalf and on behalf of all senators, I would like to honour the memory of Guy Saint-Pierre, an exceptional Quebecer and Canadian, for his invaluable contribution to our communities, his homeland, Quebec, and his country, Canada, over the course of a full and accomplished life.

For many of us, Guy Saint-Pierre was a role model because of his values, professional achievements and commitment to the progress of the French-Canadian and Quebec nation. For many of us, he had great influence on our life choices and careers.

Personally, he was influential in encouraging me to become a candidate in the first school board elections almost 50 years ago and to become the chair of a school board. He was a pioneer in the field of education. He strongly believed his entire life that it was education first and foremost that would make it possible for French-speaking Quebecers to make their mark, achieve their potential and aspire to fully take their place in the North American environment. Because of the value that he placed on education, in 1970 he was appointed Minister of Education by Premier Robert Bourassa.

[English]

An engineer by profession, Guy Saint-Pierre was responsible for the hydroelectric development of Churchill Falls in 1967. He was also responsible for the creation of the James Bay Native Development Corporation, whose goal was developing hydroelectric power in northern Quebec. In 1991, he was behind the merger of the SNC and Lavalin engineering groups to form SNC-Lavalin, one of the largest engineering firms in the world.

In 1994, Guy was named Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year. The following year, he was elected as president of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. From 2001 to 2004, Guy served as chairman of the Royal Bank, the first francophone to hold this position. He also sat on numerous boards.

[Translation]

Several academic institutions, such as Concordia University, Laval University and the Royal Military College Saint-Jean, recognized his career by awarding him honorary doctorates. Also, in 2009, he became Grand Officer of the Ordre national du Québec, after having been appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada, in 2002. Mr. Saint-Pierre was a great Canadian and a great Quebecer.

I would like to express my sincere condolences to his wife, his family and his loved ones. We will always remember him. Thank you, esteemed colleagues.