Mr. Speaker, I have celebrated Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day since my childhood days in the small communities of Chelmsford, Verner, and Field.
I proudly recognize my ancestors, Nickel Belt pioneers such as my great-grandfather Pierre Aubin, from Saint-Donat, Quebec, who immigrated to Field, Ontario, in 1860.
My great-grandparents Serré, Racine, and Éthier also came to Verner, Cache Bay, and Nickel Belt in 1880 as did the descendants of the Algonquin nation, including my grandmother, Victoire Aubin-Trudel.
I feel it is important to recognize my roots and my heritage, and to pay tribute to everyone who played a key role in Ontario.
I recognize the importance of the work of Jacques and Michelle De Courville Nicol, both of whom have so generously given of themselves in French Ontario.
I am proud to be Franco-Ontarian, to be of Métis descent, and to be a member of the Algonquin nation.
Happy Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day. Meegwetch.