Mr. Speaker, as the holiday season approaches, most of us are planning to buy presents for our loved ones. People of Beauharnois—Salaberry, this year I challenge you to make all your purchases locally.
You could attend one of the many craft fairs in places like Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Sainte-Martine, Beauharnois, Sainte-Clotilde and Sainte-Anicet or a Christmas market in Hemmingford, Huntingdon, Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague or Saint-Cyprien-de-Napierville, where you can buy artisanal products or local delicacies and meet the people who made all these things by hand.
By buying locally, people will be killing two birds with one stone: they will find unique gifts while stimulating the local economy. If they have the means, they can take the opportunity to donate locally grown and prepared food to the food banks in our region, buy a gift to donate to Sapin du petit bonheur, an organization that provides presents for the less fortunate, or help fill the Christmas hampers in a number of businesses and at my office in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
Thank you to those who organize these initiatives to help the less fortunate enjoy a holiday season with a full belly and a twinkle in their eyes.