Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pride to rise today to congratulate the new Liberal member from New Brunswick, Burt Paulin. Elected last night in the byelection in Restigouche—La Vallée with more than 53% of the votes, Burt Paulin toppled a former Conservative stronghold in New Brunswick.
The Conservatives never would have believed they could lose that riding, which had been held for so long by the new senator, Percy Mockler. But alas, the popularity of the Graham government, the efforts of our colleague from Madawaska—Restigouche and Burt Paulin's skills sent a very strong message to the Conservatives.
Conservatives in Ottawa and in Fredericton ignored the crisis facing forestry workers, failed to help seasonal workers by improving employment insurance, and turned their backs on small, rural communities. Last night those consequences came home to roost in New Brunswick.