I want to thank Ottawa City Councillor Gord Hunter for 30 years of public service.

I have worked with Councillor Hunter for a decade - first when I was a young staffer at City Hall and now as the MPP for Nepean-Carleton.

On many occasions I have called upon him for advice on planning matters and other community issues.  I know I can always count on getting the straight goods from Councillor Hunter.

At City Hall he's known for his commonsense and frankness around the council table when it comes to tax dollars.  These are qualities that have served him and his constituents.

Councillor Hunter was a Confederation High school teacher when he entered politics.  First representing Nepean then the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton he then handily won three terms in the new City of Ottawa.  He was also a standard bearer for the Liberals, seeking a seat in this Chamber.

But City Hall needed him, and Councillor Hunter has championed many of the projects that have helped Nepean become one of the most attractive communities to live, work and play in all of Ottawa.

His legacy includes important community institutions like the Nepean Sportsplex, Andrew Haydon Park, the Merivale Arena and Ben Franklin Park, Nepean City Hall and bike lanes on arterial roads.

An avid sportsman, I felt privileged to honour him earlier this year with a Nepean-Carleton Sports Builder Award.

I have always respected and admired Councillor Hunter.  I will miss working with him, but in his retirement I want him to know, I will continue to call upon him for advice from time to time.

On behalf of the people of Knoxdale-Merivale and the broader Nepean-Carleton community, thank you Gord.