Mr. Speaker, I would like to stand in solidarity with the people of my riding whose homes were flooded when the Châteauguay River overflowed its banks this past weekend.
Thirty-two homes were flooded out, and 38 people had to be evacuated. Two amphibious backhoes were used to clear away the ice. During my visit, late Saturday afternoon, I saw just how uncontrollable nature can be.
Since then, the situation has stabilized, but it is still a cause for concern. The authorities in Châteauguay remain vigilant.
There are many men and women still working pretty well around the clock as part of the emergency plan that has been put in place. I would like to pay tribute today to all those workers.
It is always reassuring to see that the values of solidarity and helping others are still alive in our society. I certainly hope that the situation will be back to normal very soon. The people of Châteauguay can count on my support during this difficult time.