Mr. Speaker, I was recently a participant in a public consultation at Swanton, in Vermont, and Venise, in Quebec, on an issue that is vital to my riding of Brome-Missisquoi: the quality of water in Lake Champlain.
In the past three years, I have been in increasing contact with the political authorities on the American side to save Lake Champlain. An important step could be taken with the planned construction of the Swanton-Alburg bridge, but we are far from having settled the main problem, which is an earthwork that has been in place for 60 years now and is blocking the flow of water between Canada and the United States. It needs to be removed if our lake is to be saved.
Our neighbours to the south appear to have a lot of reasons for not doing so. They have even brought up the presence of soft-shelled turtles.
I will continue to make use of all possible forums to ensure that this natural treasure, our Lake Champlain, remains an important asset for future generations.