Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Claude Fontaine was born on October 13, 1963. His parents, Gerard and Therese Fontaine, and their six children welcomed Claude into a loving and caring home. Claude and his seven siblings were raised on their family farm in Prud'homme, Saskatchewan. It was there they all learned the value of hard work and the importance of family.

One of Claude's many special gifts was his ability to make deep and lasting connections with people from all walks of life. It would not be uncommon for Claude to meet somebody for the first time and, in a conversation, quickly discover an extended family connection, a friend of a friend, or a common event or place where paths may have crossed at one point. Conversation with Claude was not short, but when having a conversation with Claude, you would not be looking at your watch or your phone to check the time. You would not even be thinking about the time. What would feel like 15 minutes would end up being an hour or sometimes longer.

Claude was trained as a machinist, mechanic, truck driver, and later a welder. He worked on the railroad line, fixing equipment and keeping supplies moving. He drove transport trucks across Canada and the US, moving goods to people. He liked to talk about his travels in his 18-wheeler with friends and family.

Claude decided to settle in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. He said he knew he was home when he had first laid his eyes on the Mackenzie River. Claude found an instant and profound connection to his new home. At the same time Claude chose to live in Fort Simpson, Fort Simpson also chose Claude as one of their own. He quickly became a beloved local who everybody knew as "Froggy" or "Frenchy." Through his many skills, Claude became a valuable additional to the community, and he developed his family-like relationship with so many people.

Around 2006, Claude met Lisa, a single working mom. Claude became a regular presence in Lisa's life and her son, Tristen's, who was about nine years old at the time. Claude would describe Lisa as his soulmate, the one true love of his life. Claude and Lisa were blessed with their boys, Kaleb and Kole. It was a great game-changer for Claude. At 65, he was not expecting to fall in love, let alone start a family.

Claude found peace and serenity in nature, and he felt his strongest connection to nature when he was in the Nahendeh. Known by the Dene as the land and water of the people, Claude explained to his family in the South that the forest, lakes, rivers, mountains, and animals of the North were much like his church. This is where he felt most connected to God or, as he would say, "the Big Guy."

Mr. Speaker, the family would like to thank the community of Fort Simpson for all their supports during this difficult time. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.