Mr. Speaker, last Wednesday evening, I received the sad news that some residents of the riding of Châteauguay had suffered the loss of major farm buildings in deliberately set fires. Eight buildings in the Sherrington region were lost within a perimeter of six kilometres, with a resultant loss of over $1 million.
With the holiday season approaching, this is a heavy blow to the affected farmers. I wish to express my sympathy to them in these most difficult of circumstances.
Such situations demand solidarity and mutual assistance. I am sure that the people of my riding will rise to the occasion. In closing, I would like to express thanks, on behalf of my constituents, to the 200 or so firefighters who came from eight Quebec municipalities, and several others in New York State, for their efforts in fighting these fires.