Mr. Speaker, I cannot help but think that the slogan “Our regions in power” has come to mean “We are abandoning your regions”.
Mauricie has seen hard times under the Conservatives' bad management. Wood processing has stalled, the manufacturing industry has slowed down, and Radio-Canada is feeling the pinch from the government's ideological cuts.
In addition, the closure of the Health Canada office in Shawinigan affected 34 jobs and means a loss of $1.5 million.
Can the minister commit to integrating those jobs into the federal public service in Shawinigan, in the region, where we need jobs?