Mr. Speaker, I want to draw your attention to little-known agencies that work tirelessly in Quebec.
With the help of volunteers or workers who are often underpaid, these groups improve people's lives and work on unifying issues and projects: the Eastern Townships housing co-operatives that provide social housing for low-income families; volunteer centres where the sense of giving far exceeds political action; AmiEs de la Terre, a proud proponent of and window to organic farming; Union paysanne, an advocate of traditional farming and family farms; COGESAF, a guardian of watersheds and a great protector of our water; and Solidarité rurale du Québec, a community builder that raises awareness about the reality of rural life and that suffered greatly from the austerity agenda.
Of course, there is the Townshippers' Association, protector of the Anglophone minority, and its tradition of building bridges throughout our community.
Their voices and missions deserve our attention because their many initiatives are vital to all Quebeckers.