Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault

In response to a question from Natilien Joseph

“Parents cannot watch their children all the time. We expect kids to be safe at school and in other public places, and they should be safe online too. I want rules that protect children on social media, and I want my colleague to speak more about this.”

“Mr. Speaker, as my colleague explained, parents cannot monitor their children 24-7. In various settings in real life, we have certain expectations regarding the protection of children, whether at school, in community organizations or in different institutions. When we leave our children in these settings, we expect them to be safe. Today, the virtual world is playing an increasingly important role in our everyday lives. It is a fact that children spend time in these virtual spaces. That is why I think it is important to put certain regulations in place to ensure the safety of our children when they use platforms like social media. I would like my colleague to talk a bit more about that.”

“We are working late tonight because we care about keeping children safe online. This bill does not ban platforms outright. Instead, platforms can be exempt if they show an independent group a strong plan to protect kids from harm. I think this is the right approach. I want to know what my colleague thinks of it.”

“Mr. Speaker, my colleague gave an excellent speech. He touched on a number of the key points in this bill. The reason we are still here tonight at this late hour is that we care deeply about protecting our children online. I would like to know his opinion of the bill’s architecture. Rather than imposing an outright ban, the bill allows platforms to be exempted if they can demonstrate that they have a rigorous safety plan, which would be assessed by an independent commission. That safety plan must show how children will be prevented from being exposed to harmful content. I would like to hear my colleague’s thoughts on that approach. In my opinion, it was the right approach to take.”

“We both want to protect children online. This bill regulates social media platforms to protect young people's mental health from harmful content. If the member supports this goal, will he vote to send the bill to committee for study?”

“Madam Speaker, after listening to my colleague, I realize that we both care about protecting our children online. I think that if we did not care about this issue, we would not be here tonight at this late hour. Bill C‑34 proposes several improvements to better regulate social media platforms in order to protect young people from harmful online content that could have an impact on their mental health. If my colleague supports the bill’s guiding principles and the broad objectives it seeks to achieve, will he vote to send it to committee so that it can be studied in depth?”

In response to a question from Mario Beaulieu

“Our government is spending $4.1 billion to support official languages and French-speaking minority communities. Even with inflation, this is the most money Canada has ever invested in official languages. It funds French schools, health care, legal services, and jobs. This money is vital for regions like mine, which has many French speakers outside Quebec.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that my colleague alluded to the official languages in the preamble to his question. It gives me an opportunity to remind the House of the Liberal government’s historic investment in the official languages. The action plan for official languages 2023-2028 invests $4.1 billion in supporting the official languages and the vitality of francophone minority communities. Even taking inflation into account, this is the largest investment in the official languages in the history of Canada. It lets us support French-language education in our communities, take measures to support health, access to justice and employment services, and document our realities better through Statistics Canada data. In all, over a dozen federal organizations are involved in implementing the action plan for official languages, which is generating tangible benefits across Canada. I know what I am talking about, because I represent Madawaska—Restigouche, one of the ridings with the highest concentrations of francophones outside Quebec. These investments in the official languages are vital to my region.”

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In response to a question from Burton Bailey

“We are managing public money carefully. We are reviewing department spending to make sure it is used well. We are also investing in the economy so it can grow and pay for the services Canadians need with the cost of living.”

“Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we are managing our fiscal situation meticulously. We have undertaken a review of government spending across the various departments. We are ensuring that public finances are managed effectively. The goal is to have sufficient fiscal flexibility to be able to meet the needs of Canadians. When we implement various measures to strengthen and stimulate the Canadian economy, the idea is to have a thriving economy that allows us to fund the various social services that help Canadians cope with the cost of living.”

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“The Conservatives only offer catchphrases, but our government is taking real action on the cost of living. We cut middle-class taxes and helped families with tax credits, cheaper child care, and rebates for heat pumps. We are also funding local water pipes to help build more homes, and helping farmers grow more food here so grocery bills go down.”

“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Kings—Hants. We just heard a speech by the Leader of the Opposition that was once again full of catchphrases. I think he came here just to record his social media sound bites for this week. If Canadians are interested in practical measures, then they need to look to this side of the House. We are implementing measures to strengthen the Canadian economy, which is working for everyone. I think that Canadians see right through the official opposition’s tactics when they hear this kind of rhetoric. We need only look at the results of the most recent by-elections and polling numbers. Canadians clearly favour our approach, which is based on practical measures that make a difference in people’s lives. On that note, I will focus on the content of my speech, because today’s motion deals with the cost of living. To address the cost of living, we can implement immediate measures. I am thinking of the enhancement of what was previously known as the GST/HST credit and the tax cut for the middle class that we announced last year. These are measures that put money back into Canadians’ pockets now. That said, we need to think from a medium- and long-term perspective. I am thinking in particular of the national food security strategy that we launched earlier this year. This strategy aims to address factors within Canada’s agri-food ecosystem to help stabilize grocery prices over the medium and long term. One of the pillars of this strategy is to increase food production in Canada. To achieve this, we are implementing a range of programs designed to support innovation in the food sector, help our entrepreneurs modernize their equipment, and assist them in acquiring the capabilities needed to do more processing in Canada. Our goal is to have more Canadian food on our plates and to ensure that our entrepreneurs already active in the agri-food sector have the means to modernize and become more efficient: With the same workforce, how could they improve their equipment and processes so they can produce more food right here at home? I am also thinking of all the tax incentives we are putting in place to increase our production of fruits and vegetables in Canada year-round, particularly through our incentives for the construction of greenhouses and other controlled-environment growing facilities. Our goal is to increase Canada’s food sovereignty and reduce our dependence on others. Countries that are dependent on international trade are more likely to be affected by supply chain disruptions. That is why conflicts affect the price of groceries in Canada. However, if we boost domestic production, we are less likely to see price fluctuations based on changes happening abroad. I am also thinking about the exchange rate. When we import a lot of products and the exchange rate varies, that also affects prices. Strengthening our food sovereignty at home helps stabilize grocery prices over the longer term. Boosting competition is also important. We know that. In Canada, five major retailers control nearly 75% of Canada’s grocery market. Our national food security strategy will allow us to help independent grocers buy and transport products at competitive prices without relying on the big grocery chains. We need to make it easier for independent grocers to access supply chains through various programs, increase competition in the sector and improve grocery prices for consumers. Thanks to the national strategy, we will also be providing nearly $130 million to the Competition Bureau and the Competition Tribunal to investigate, prevent and counter anti-competitive business practices. Rules are in place, but we must have the means to enforce them. Finally, we need to reduce red tape. In fact, a bill has already been introduced to this end, because red tape can have an impact on production costs. Strengthening the Canadian economy and supporting Canadians also requires strategic investment in our infrastructure. These investments must be made in partnership not only with the provinces, but also with municipalities. At the end of the day, there is only one taxpayer, and it is that taxpayer who ultimately foots the bill. When we invest alongside local governments in infrastructure projects that are essential to our communities, we help place those municipalities on a sounder financial footing. If the federal government does not contribute to major infrastructure projects, local governments may have no choice but to adjust their tax rates, and this will be reflected in our constituents’ property tax bills. That is why I think it is important for the federal government to be involved when there are plans to upgrade water and sewer systems to increase housing capacity in our communities, for example. Last summer, I was involved in making three announcements where the federal government, the provincial government and the municipalities made joint investments in water and sewer infrastructure projects, not only because these systems were aging but also to increase housing capacity in the areas where the work is being done. If we want to grow our communities and increase our housing stock, we must ensure that we have the proper water and sewer infrastructure in place to support that growth. I am thinking about the announcement that I made last June in Campbellton, alongside the late Mayor Soucy, regarding the upgrades to infrastructure on Notre Dame Street in the Atholville area. I also made an announcement in Grand Falls about the relocation and replacement of older sanitary sewer infrastructure on Taylor Street, Park Street and O’Regan Street. In addition to supporting residential development in this area, this project will also address critical environmental challenges because the Saint John River is nearby and we could see that a manhole was on the verge of collapse. This could have led to a serious environmental incident in Grand Falls. Through these investments, we are not only supporting the construction of more housing but also addressing an environmental imperative. My last example is the announcement of more than $1 million that we made in Edmundston to extend water and sewer lines to service a residential project on Laboissonnière Avenue, des Mélèzes Street, and Mgr Lacroix Avenue. These are tangible ways that we can help our communities and all citizens who benefit from these projects. As for the cost of living, we know that the price of electricity is also a major concern for Canadians. We know that the heating method used can have a significant impact on electricity bills. That is why we recently announced the launch of the national heat pump rebate program to help up to 820,000 households across the country switch to more efficient electric heat pumps. Our goal is to increase the number of homes that are more energy efficient in order to reduce electricity consumption and save people money every month. Heat pump systems have several advantages over traditional heating systems. They are more energy efficient, lowering energy costs for consumers. They also combine heating and cooling within the same system for year-round comfort, in the summer with air conditioning and in the winter with heating. What is more, it helps us meet our greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. Under this program, households with below-median incomes will get up to $10,000, and other households will get up to $2,000. This is another concrete measure put in place to help people cope with the cost of living and also to meet our environmental objectives. As for the cost of living, I think it is also important to mention our affordable child care program, which we launched in 2021. The results speak for themselves. The statistics show that the labour force participation rate of young parents, particularly young mothers, has increased since this program was launched. Child care spaces have been created and made available to families in multiple communities across Canada, and we continue to work with provinces and territories to strengthen the early learning and child care system across Canada for the long term. Huge progress has been made over the past five years, but we know that the needs are great and that there is still a need for more affordable child care in our communities. There are still waiting lists. There is more work to be done, but when we look at the progress made over the past five years in expanding access to affordable child care in Canada, we see that great strides have been made. In fact, last June, an announcement of up to $5.4 billion over two years was announced. This is in addition to the more than $58 billion in funding that has already been allocated to this program since 2021 under the current extension agreements with the provinces and territories. This is another example of a concrete investment that has an impact on the cost of living, on Canadian families and on their ability to fully participate in the labour market. I will conclude by saying that addressing the cost of living and strengthening the Canadian economy so that it works for everyone requires concrete measures and action, not just empty rhetoric. The official opposition’s rhetoric is always followed by votes against every measure we put in place. On this side of the aisle, we take the issues seriously, take action, and implement concrete measures.”

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“This new defence agency needs to be independent so it can invest quickly and build up our industries. It will still follow strict rules. It must share its spending details, write reports, and answer questions from MPs.”

“Mr. Speaker, as I said, accountability measures will apply. The objective of making the agency a Crown corporation is to give it more autonomy so it can invest in defence and meet current needs while strengthening our country’s industrial base. Accountability measures will apply. Committee work will be carried out, reports will be written and financial disclosure obligations will have to be met. All of these criteria apply. Members of Parliament will be able to ask their questions in committee and in the House.”

In response to a question from Alex Ruff

“The 1-billion-dollar investment in the Gagetown military base will help our armed forces and New Brunswick. This new defence agency will also stay accountable. A minister will answer questions about it, and it will have to show its finances and face audits.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to hear that the member had the opportunity to spend several years in New Brunswick. I am also pleased that he pointed out how important the announced $1-billion investment has been for infrastructure at the Gagetown military base in New Brunswick. That will make a real difference for our Canadian Armed Forces and for the province that I represent. As far as accountability is concerned, obviously a minister will be responsible for this agency. He or she will be in the House to answer opposition members’ questions and will appear in committee. A whole series of mechanisms will be put in place to ensure transparency and accountability within our parliamentary system. The Crown corporation will still be required to disclose financial information, undergo audits and table documents in Parliament. We are giving this organization more independence from an operational perspective, but we are maintaining strict accountability measures.”

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“I support this bill. Right now, buying military equipment takes too long because too many government departments are involved. This bill creates a single agency to handle defence purchases, cut red tape, and get our military what it needs faster.”

“Mr. Speaker, as everyone knows, we are living in a rapidly changing world. Multiple conflicts are currently unfolding across the globe. The rules-based international order we knew for decades has been turned upside down. Technological advances are fundamentally altering both the nature of the threats we face and the tools available to address them. We must develop defence capabilities to meet these new realities. There are also new challenges ahead. Consider, for example, the growing strategic importance of the Arctic and the need to find a way to safeguard our sovereignty over this vast northern territory. We must reinvest to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces have the equipment they need, when they need it. That means reinvesting not only in modernizing and replenishing our equipment, but also in building a defence supply chain capable of meeting the needs of our armed forces in a timely manner. That is precisely why we are debating Bill C‑40 today. Since last year, we have made major investments in the Canadian Armed Forces, and we have met our NATO defence spending target of 2% of GDP. These investments are essential for protecting our country’s sovereignty. They give us the means to defend our territory, our borders and our national interests. We are also seeking to build our strategic autonomy through these investments. We want to further develop industrial capabilities and reliable supply chains right here at home so that we can meet our own defence needs and fulfill our commitments to our allies as members of NATO. This is also a measure of our credibility as a reliable international partner. In addition to meeting security needs, these defence investments are also helping us to strengthen the Canadian economy because we are enhancing Canada’s industrial capabilities. With that in mind, in February, we launched Canada’s very first defence industrial strategy, which seeks to transform our defence industries by prioritizing Canadian suppliers and materials. By investing in our defence capabilities, we want to promote our local businesses, stimulate our economy and invest in Canadian innovation and commercialization, while streamlining procurement to give businesses consistent and predictable demand. As I mentioned, we have already taken historic steps to speed up defence equipment procurement while ensuring that Canadian workers and businesses benefit in the process. However, we want to go further and, as we have said before, we can do better. To improve, we have to start by identifying weaknesses in the Canadian defence procurement system and finding ways to fix them. Specifically, I am thinking of the fragmentation between departments, because defence procurement involves multiple different government entities and ministers. This fragmentation can affect our efficiency. In addition, sometimes, procedures are too complex to meet the military’s constantly changing needs. We have also noted how slow and arduous it is for the system to adapt to the immediate needs of our armed forces. We want to cut through the red tape. We want to speed up procurement and more quickly deliver critical equipment and capabilities to the CAF and our allies. It is in this spirit that we have introduced Bill C-40 to establish the Defence Investment Agency as a Crown corporation. This agency will have a strong mandate to carry out activities related to production, procurement and investment in respect of national defence assets. What will change about this agency? It will have additional and expanded authority to move complex projects forward, and it will have the capacity and expertise to do so while developing Canada’s defence industrial base. More specifically, as a Crown corporation, this agency will be able to operate with greater authority to negotiate and manage contracts in accordance with business practices more familiar to the industry. It will eliminate fragmentation by bringing the decision-makers responsible for procurement and strategic investments together in one place. It will reduce administrative burdens and facilitate access for suppliers in order to speed up procurement. What is more, Bill C-40 proposes creating the position of associate minister of national defence for procurement to oversee this new Crown corporation. The idea is once again to centralize the activities within a single agency rather than having a fragmented system like the one we have now. The objective is to deliver better results for our armed forces. We are already hard at work. We have already announced major investments in our armed forces since the last election. We are currently in negotiations to acquire up to 12 submarines, which is the largest defence procurement in our country’s history. We are establishing a strategic partnership framework under the defence industrial strategy to expand our fleet of armoured vehicles. We announced an $11-billion investment in an icebreaker contract for the Davie shipyard, the largest shipbuilding contract in the history of the province of Quebec. My home province of New Brunswick is not being overlooked. In April, our government announced an investment of more than $1 billion for the Canadian Armed Forces base in Gagetown. This includes $871 million to recapitalize the range and training area and $172 million to establish new ground-based air defence infrastructure. These investments ensure that our soldiers train on infrastructure built to last the next century and truly adapted to today’s needs. In addition to these investments, another $20 million has been budgeted to create a modern building that centralizes transition services in order to better support CAF members and their families during the transition either back to duty or to civilian life. I want to emphasize how important this federal investment of over $1 billion is to my province, New Brunswick. This is a significant amount with economic benefits not only for the military base, but for my province as a whole. In fact, my colleague from Fredericton—Oromocto often talks to us about the importance of investing in CFB Gagetown, both to support our CAF members by providing them with adequate training facilities truly adapted to their needs, but also for the many benefits it brings to our entire province. I support my colleague from Fredericton—Oromocto’s efforts. Our defence industrial strategy also includes a component aimed at increasing Canadian innovation in the defence and dual-use sector. I am referring to funding for technology, infrastructure, research and equipment that serve both military purposes, for use by our CAF, and civilian applications. I am thinking of our investments in drones and surveillance systems. It goes without saying that there is tremendous potential in the defence sector, particularly when it comes to monitoring vast territories such as the Arctic and conducting reconnaissance missions. However, these technologies can also be used in search and rescue operations. They can be deployed during forest fires and used to map our forests. They are also useful in agriculture for mapping fields. These investments improve our drone technology, which has both military and civilian applications. The same is true of satellite technologies and the improvements we are making to access space and enhance satellite connectivity. These investments help meet the need for secure, reliable communications in remote places, of course, but there is also potential to improve cell connectivity in rural parts of the country. I am also thinking of our investments in cybersecurity, which will help strengthen the protection of our networks and improve our ability to detect threats. This is especially important at a time when artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly. Investments in cybersecurity will have tangible benefits, particularly in terms of improving the security of our public and corporate networks. I am giving all these examples to show that our defence investments will not just be used to procure military equipment. They will also benefit our businesses and communities. We are investing to meet the needs of our military, but we are also taking this opportunity to further enhance Canada’s advantage in sectors such as AI, IT and access to space. We are having this discussion on Bill C-40 as we are entering the remembrance period, and I think it is important to mention that. From October 24 to November 11, millions of Canadians wear a poppy as a visible pledge to remember those who served our country and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today. Wearing a poppy is a symbol of gratitude, thanking those who serve and their families and remembering those who lost their lives in service to our country. It is also a sign of remembrance and education, reminding future generations of the importance of knowing our history and remembering those who served our country. It is a concrete way to support our local Royal Canadian Legions. The poppy campaign raises funds to support veterans and their families, so making a donation is a concrete way to show our support. This year, Remembrance Day takes on a particular meaning following the recent loss of four members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the serious injuries sustained by several others at Wainwright.”

“Our government spent more than $1.5 billion over the last year to support culture. That money funded events that support Canadian, Quebec, and Acadian identity. I want the member to admit that this shows our strong support for culture.”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to remind my colleague that, over the last 12 months, our government invested over $1.5 billion to support the cultural sector. These sums helped support many cultural events that have an impact on our identity as Canadians, Quebeckers or Acadians. Here is my question for my colleague: Given the current economic uncertainty, is a $1.5-billion investment not a testament to the importance given by our government to supporting culture and a multitude of programs that have real impacts on the ground?”

In response to a question from Mario Simard

“Our cultural sector needed money right away, so we are giving it $600 million this year. We can support these artists now while we keep working on rules for online streaming.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would say that the key word in my colleague’s question is “could have”. No money was paid to the sector. However, this year, over the next few months, $600 million will be distributed to support the cultural community thanks to the approach we have taken. In fact, we have already announced that we are working on a new policy direction for the implementation of the Online Streaming Act. While we were discussing the best approaches with our international partners and looking into these issues, we were aware that the cultural sector needed an immediate injection of funding. That is why we announced an investment of $600 million this year. We can provide funding and continue to work on implementing the act at the same time.”

In response to a question from Ginette Petitpas Taylor

“Our government doubled the funding for National Acadian Day and made it permanent. This helps our communities celebrate Acadian culture and fund our yearly August 15 concert.”

“Mr. Speaker, Acadian civil society had been calling for this for a long time, so I am very pleased that we not only doubled the funding for National Acadian Day, but also made it permanent. This funding enables our local Acadian communities to celebrate our Acadian identity in a big way. August 15 is an important day for us, and it is integral to our identity as Acadians. It is when we come together as a community and express our pride. We hold tintamarres, make music and participate in a wide range of family activities. This funding gives our communities the means to celebrate on a grand scale. It also helps us organize and fund the big August 15 concert, which was held in my colleague’s riding this year and will take place in Campbellton, in my riding, in the summer of 2027. I am really looking forward to taking part in that event next summer.”

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In response to a question from Dalwinder Gill

“The old system gave no money to cultural groups on the ground. Our plan gave them $600 million this year. At the same time, we are still working on our online streaming rules and talking with other countries.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, whom I miss on the Standing Committee on Official Languages now that he is no longer a member. I would like to point out that, under the old approach, no amount of money reached the cultural communities on the ground. Under the approach we have promoted, this year, $600 million has been allocated directly to support cultural communities. We are also working on a new strategic direction for the implementation of the Online Streaming Act. As we continue that work, and while we are also holding discussions with our international partners—indeed, Canada does not operate in a vacuum either—we are providing money directly on the ground. That means we are able to do both of these things at the same time.”

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In response to a question from Marie-Hélène Gaudreau

“Our government gave over $1.5 billion to arts and culture in the past year, plus an extra $600 million. I meet regularly with arts groups, including French-speaking groups outside Quebec, to make sure our programs meet their needs.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out to my colleague that the $600 million was in addition to the investments already provided for in budget 2025. More than $1.5 billion has been invested to support the cultural sector in the past 12 months alone. I meet with representatives from many cultural organizations in my riding, as well as from national organizations working in the arts and culture sector. We are working together to determine whether the current programs meet their needs. Sometimes we have discussions about how we could improve certain programs to better meet the needs of different creators. I am thinking in particular of organizations that represent the francophone cultural community outside Quebec. I speak regularly with key players in this community, and support for the cultural sector is one of the topics we discuss.”

In response to a question from Marilyn Gladu

“Our government has invested over $1.5 billion in Canadian culture and the arts over the past year. Culture is part of who we are, it brings our communities together, and it adds tens of billions of dollars to our economy. Federal money helps fund local festivals, gardens, and artists in my riding, and I am proud that we support them.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to discuss support for the cultural sector today. Our government has always been committed to supporting culture and creators, as evidenced by the additional $600 million we are investing to support the cultural sector in Canada. That announcement from June is in addition to the funding already announced in budget 2025. Over the last 12 months, we have announced more than $1.5 billion in funding to support the cultural sector across the country. As a reminder, these investments are being made at a time of economic uncertainty. I think that speaks to the importance our government places on supporting culture. I believe supporting culture is crucial, because our culture is what brings our Canadian identity to life and reinforces our sense of belonging. Our cultural references are what make us truly Canadians. Culture is about telling our stories and our history. Culture is also our legacy for future generations. It is not frozen in time, because artists contribute to our evolving identity through their creations. In addition to being a central part of our Canadian identity, arts and culture are a driver of economic prosperity. We need only think of all the economic benefits that cultural events generate for Canadian communities. These include performances, festivals, art galleries, the tourism appeal of having a packed calendar of events, and the local jobs that these events create. According to the data, the cultural sector contributes tens of billions of dollars to the GDP every year, making it a major economic contributor. What is more, arts and culture contribute to the vitality of our communities. Cultural events and festivals are places for the community to gather. They strengthen the social fabric. When we see local creators succeed, it makes us proud. There is a wealth of local talent in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche. The whole community celebrates when local artists shine in major performances, in national or international music competitions, or in any other art form. It is always a joy to see local artists succeed. I want to take this opportunity to underscore the important work being done by our local cultural organizations and societies. Small community organizations are often the ones that keep culture alive, organize events, activities and different workshops, or program regular live performances and events. Without the work of teams and volunteers, our communities would go without the cultural activities they have now. While they often have few staff and limited resources, their volunteers are dedicated. I therefore want to commend the work of everyone involved in the cultural life of our society and thank them for it. I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the federal government’s support for these organizations. Through its various funding programs, the government provides support to the Société culturelle de la Baie des Chaleurs in my region, as well as organizations in Kedgwick, Hauts-Plateaux, Chutes and Saint-François, and the Centre des arts La petite église in Edmundston, to name just a few. Those are all cultural organizations in my riding that have all received federal funding over the past year through various programs, enabling them to provide high-quality cultural programming to the people of our region. When we talk about supporting the cultural sector, we must also support the venues and institutions where culture is brought to life in our communities. Let me give a concrete example. In my region of Madawaska, the New Brunswick Botanical Garden is an important contributor to the cultural vitality of the area. In addition to showcasing our local flora and offering visitors the opportunity to explore beautiful themed gardens, the botanical garden also hosts numerous cultural events throughout the year that regularly receive support from the federal government. I am thinking in particular of the Sortie branchée en Acadie, which is an event that takes place every August. It is a truly festive occasion at the Botanical Garden. There are musical performances by local and visiting bands, which bring together many people from the community. Many people come from all over to see the talented musicians performing at the Botanical Garden. It is also a time for families to come together. There is a whole range of activities, particularly cultural activities. For the 2026 event, the federal government contributed close to $20,000. In the fall, in early October, I attended the Grande Grouille festival at the Botanical Garden, another important event in my region. The Grande Grouille is truly a special event because the Botanical Garden is decked out in fall colours. There are Halloween decorations and thousands of pumpkins, some of which are lit up. Visitors can stop by during the day or night. A whole range of activities are available, including musical performances. Children paint pumpkins in schools. Competitions are also organized. It really is a wonderful, community-building event, which attracted over 25,000 visitors this year. Again, I am happy that our government contributed in various ways to this event’s success. As part of the building communities through arts and heritage program, the botanical garden received $30,000 to organize the Grande Grouille and Jardin emballé. Jardin emballé will take place in November. I was saying that the Grande Grouille is a celebration of fall. Jardin emballé will offer a taste of Christmas magic. There will be a big public market showcasing local makers. There will be music again. This is another example of a cultural event hosted at the botanical garden, and I am very pleased that my government contributed to it. When I talk about supporting arts and culture, I also think about how important it is to support our festivals. I can say that, during the summer, there is a lot going on in the riding of Madawaska—Restigouche. There is an event every week. There are tons of festivals livening up our communities. They bring people together and attract visitors to our region. They give local artists a chance to perform on stage. They also allow us to welcome artists from outside the area. There are farmers’ markets where local artisans can showcase their products. All these summer activities keep our communities vibrant and contribute to the cultural life of the region I represent. Through various programs, the federal government provides some of the funding for our festivals. I am thinking in particular of the Grand Falls Potato Festival, the Saint-Quentin Western Festival, the Kedgwick Fall Festival, the Salmon Festival, the Campbellton Bluegrass Festival, and the Sortie branchée en Acadie festival I just mentioned, to name just a few examples. These events bring our communities to life and contribute to our cultural vitality, and I am very pleased to see, once again, that our government is supporting these types of events. Speaking of arts and culture, I would like to highlight a special event that takes place in my riding. The Rendez-vous des artistes is held every year in Saint‑Léonard, in the municipality of Vallée-des-Rivières. This symposium is the largest gathering of painters and sculptors in the maritime provinces, giving visitors the opportunity to see more than 100 artists at work in one place. It is really amazing because they set up huts along the paths in a park, so people can walk the whole route and admire the work of artists from New Brunswick and beyond. Last summer, I had the opportunity to speak with some artists. They told me that the symposium in Saint-Léonard is often their favourite summer event, particularly because of the warm welcome they get and the layout with the huts. This year, the federal government once again provided funding to the Rendez-vous des artistes to support the organization of this event. I want to highlight this because, when we talk about supporting the cultural sector, I think of events like this one in Saint-Léonard. It is a cultural hot spot and brings a community to life. It helps to showcase artists and sculptors from New Brunswick, as well as those from elsewhere. Since we are discussing the various programs that support culture, I would also like to mention the Celebrate Canada program. This program provides funding for major celebrations, including Canada Day and National Acadian Day. National celebrations in Ottawa certainly have their place, but we must also celebrate locally, thereby honouring our Canadian identity, or our Acadian identity on August 15. It is essential that local communities have the resources they need to organize celebrations during the summer, whether on July 1 or August 15. Those are very busy days indeed. We tour my whole riding of Madawaska—Restigouche to experience all the different celebrations taking place, and I can confirm that federal funding is a big help, especially considering that budget 2025 doubled the funding for National Acadian Day this year. This made a tremendous difference for our communities. It ensured that we could have amazing festivities, hire local talent and truly celebrate our Canadian and Acadian identity. In closing, let me reiterate that supporting culture and creators is a priority for our government, as evidenced by the concrete measures we are taking, the many different programs we are offering and the investments of more than $1.5 billion we have made over the last year alone.”

• Echo ×4

  A repeated line

  “Let me give a concrete example.”

  Said 4 times by 3 members since April 24.

  Every time it was said →