Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Cassandra Gillen on being one of the young recipients of this year’s Terry Fox Humanitarian Award.

Cassandra’s passion for social action began at the tender age of five when her adolescent cousin fell ill. Cassandra asked for money instead of gifts for her birthday so she could donate to the Montreal Children’s Hospital.

Today, Cassandra’s volunteerism is extensive. She is a Special Olympics coach, co-leader of two Girl Guides units, a member of the organization’s National Youth Council and Provincial Quebec Council and a member of the City of Pointe-Claire Youth Advisory Board.

Cassandra’s humanitarian spirit extends beyond our borders. She has raised money to help build a school in India, physically helped build a school in Ecuador, raised money to pay for a clean water system in India and provided meals to schoolchildren in Haiti.

I am proud to represent in this House a recipient of this prestigious honour that carries the name of one of our greatest national heroes.