Honourable senators, I rise today to honour and remember a close and dear friend of mine: former Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, John Nuraney. This week my friend John died, surrounded by his loving family, in Vancouver, British Columbia. I would like to share my memories of John with you today.

When I ran for Parliament in 1993 and 1997, John and his wife Gulshan were a source of encouragement for me. When members of the community tried to discourage me by saying that I should not try to become an MP in Canada as that was not a place for South Asian woman, both John and Gulshan would stand with me and urge me to keep fighting for my dream.

Honourable senators, John, as an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, arrived in Canada in 1974, and he was one of the proudest Canadians that I know. To this day, I can still remember him telling me about his experience of coming here.

I remember that John had been agitated when speaking about how the Congolese government took all his assets, including his citizenship, before he had come here.

However, in an instant, that agitation disappeared as he smiled and told me, "But now, we are Canadians. No one can snatch our citizenship from us!" In Canada, he achieved a better life for himself and his family.

John always kept that pride for his country, Canada, close to him, especially when he was elected a member of British Columbia's Legislative Assembly.

As an MLA, John worked hard for his constituents. Whether it was to help families unite, find jobs, or just to listen to the pain and needs of his constituents, John would tirelessly work for the sake of the community.

My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Gulshan, along with his children, Nick, Nimet, Alim, Naseem and George, and his grandchildren, Ilahyas, Jaedym, Ava and Aiden, who were his life and joy.

John, while I know you have left us, your voice and words of encouragement will always remain with us.

I will miss you my friend. Rest in peace.