Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I have to apologize, I was not here when the witnesses were welcomed. I am the MP for Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier in the large, beautiful region around Quebec City. So, madam, gentlemen, please let me welcome you to our meeting today.
I would first like to comment on Mr. Leblanc's remarks. He seems offended by the fact that Montreal is not hosting this consultation. I think we must rise above that kind of thinking.
As parliamentarians, we are here to move matters forward and we must not entertain any rivalry between Quebec City and Montreal. I remind you that Quebec City is the capital of the province. Montreal provides the lungs of Quebec, a province that is part of Canada. I feel that playing one against the other is beneath us. We are stronger together, Mr. Leblanc. That is what I had to say. You expressed your opinion earlier and I am giving you mine.
Mr. Nepton, I am from a large constituency in the far-flung suburbs of Montreal, very close to Quebec City. It is called Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier. In my region, there is a problem with Internet communication. It is a serious situation, a matter of public security, and it is our obligation to intervene. I am sure you are aware that only 5% of Canadian territory has no Internet service.
However, a number of regions that are further from Montreal and Quebec City are not served. I feel that this is a major shortcoming that the government must be able—it has set money aside for it—to accelerate the provision of the service. How do we have to view the problem and find quick and specific solutions?