Hon. Katherine Hay: Honourable senators, I rise today because, in May, the young people in Canada gained an angel. In May, Canada lost a trailblazer, a relentless advocate for youth and mental health and one of the finest human beings I have known: Eric Windeler, founder and former CEO of Jack.org. Eric and his wife and partner, Sandra, along with children Ben and Julia, transformed an enormous tragedy into a game-changing, life-saving movement for youth. When Jack — Eric and Sandra’s son and Ben and Julia’s brother — died by suicide in 2010, Eric mobilized.

Eric knew intimately that suicide was and is the second leading cause of death for young people. He understood that youth in Canada needed to begin to talk about it and needed support. He understood that parents, schools and communities also needed to talk and needed support.

Eric began the Jack Project at an old extra desk at Kids Help Phone’s old offices. He did not believe in doing it alone. He was determined, kind, generous and inclusive. He had a vision, which was all about hope, that no young person should struggle alone.

The Jack Project quickly outgrew the “project” part and came into its own. Jack.org, a national organization operating from coast to coast to coast, is the largest network of young people supporting young people. It provides a safe place with peers, professional support, advocacy, Jack Talks, Jack Chapters, Jack Summits, the Be There Certificate and edHUB, where youth can thrive with mental wellness and hope.

Many years ago, I was literally two weeks into my job at Kids Help Phone, and what the heck did I know? The phone rang. It was Eric, a new partner, friend and mentor. He called; that’s what he did. He brought people in and together because he believed we are always stronger when we work together. He helped me become a better CEO and a better advocate for young people. All of us in his fan club are better for having known him. He did it with love.

“What would Eric do is?” is a good question to ask, and he would likely say, “Let’s get going. We have just got started.”

Eric made Canada better. Eric gave Canada Jack.org. Thank you, dear Eric. I promise we will not stop. Please, dear colleagues, join me in honouring Eric Windeler. Thank you. Meegwetch.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.