Good morning, Mr. Chair.
Good morning to my colleagues and all our witnesses.
My name is Gabriel Ste‑Marie and I'm the MP for Joliette, a small town about a 45‑minute drive northeast of Montreal.
Before I put my questions to the witnesses, I'd like to thank you all for your welcome. It's a pleasure to be here in Charlottetown to hear your recommendations. As we often say, time is short, so I won't have a chance to ask all the questions I'd like to ask each of you, but please know that we're taking notes. So far, everything I've heard in your presentations has been very important. I'm sure we'll be able to include it in the recommendations we submit to the minister.
I'm thoroughly impressed by the beauty of the Island and by Charlottetown's lovely architecture and urban planning, but above all by the kindness and welcome extended by Islanders. I used to think that this was a distinctive quality of our former committee chair, Mr. Wayne Easter, but I've since come to understand that it's a distinctive quality of the people of Prince Edward Island.
Mr. Roy, my first questions are for you and will focus on festivals and major events.
Last weekend, Kent Street in Charlottetown was closed off for a major festival. It was packed with people and there was a boisterous atmosphere. Clearly, culture is a very important part of life, but would you say that it's given the recognition it deserves by the government?