Mr. Speaker, allow me to mention an initiative by the Secrétariat à la mise en valeur du Saint-Laurent, an agency of the Government of Quebec that promotes the St. Lawrence River in Quebec and elsewhere in the world.
We cannot overstress the importance of the St. Lawrence, when 60% of Quebec's population lives on its shores.
The economic impact of marine and port activities in Quebec is considerable, since they generate over $3 billion in business. We are talking here of 27,000 jobs and a payroll of over $1 billion.
The flag of the St. Lawrence serves primarily to remind us of the inestimable heritage the river represents and to encourage our collective pride of this major resource.
The flag is also a quality souvenir for important visitors, and serves as promotional material here and abroad.
Congratulations to the Secrétariat à la mise en valeur du Saint-Laurent.