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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 336

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
September 16, 2024 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 336 - Sep/16/24
Hon. Mona Fortier (Ottawa—Vanier, Lib.)
  • Sep/16/24 2:13:30 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour Marlene Catterall. A trail-blazing role model for Canadian women, she served on Ottawa city council and was a member of Parliament for 17 years. An accomplished parliamentarian, Marlene preferred to be known as a community activist. She fought for justice, lobbying for the release of constituent Maher Arar from Syrian prison. As Canada's first female chief government whip, she broke barriers in this chamber. Marlene negotiated the unanimous vote that made it possible to erect the Women are Persons! monument on Parliament Hill. She received the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case, Canada's highest honour for women. She also served on the board of directors for the Maison de la francophonie d'Ottawa as part of her commitment to the French language, and she was honoured as ACFO's francophile of the year in recognition of that commitment. Marlene's passion, integrity and dedication will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
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