Statement By Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty today released the following statement regarding the passing of Sam George:

"It is with great sadness that Ontarians have learned of the passing of Sam George, a determined, dedicated and peaceful advocate for the rights of Aboriginal people.

Out of the tragedy of his brother's death, Sam made it his own life's work to seek justice and to promote tolerance so that other families could live in peace and prosperity.

People who worked with him and knew him joined his journey in search of truth and stuck with him because they didn't want to let him down.

I found him to be a person who could argue passionately and forcefully for his own cause while listening carefully and with great consideration to the views of others. He was instrumental in creating a new relationship between the Government of Ontario and Aboriginal people.

On behalf of all Ontarians, our deepest sympathies go out to his wife Veronica and to his children Don, Tammy and Yvonne.

Together, we will honour Sam George's legacy by continuing to strive for justice, equality and opportunity for Aboriginal people and for all Ontarians."