Mr. Speaker, this summer the member for Pickering—Uxbridge and I embarked on a rural-urban riding exchange. As a long-serving member, and as a new member, mentorship and exchanging perspectives played a key part.
In Malpeque, we experienced the ingenuity of local entrepreneurs, the creativity of P.E.l.'s experiential tourism, and the quality of our national park. At Springwillow organic farm, we hand-picked potatoes, taking lessons from 90-year-old Joyce Loo. The member for Pickering—Uxbridge can now identify the qualities of a good dairy cow.
In Pickering-Uxbridge, we competed in a dragon boat race and saw the strength of local athletes. With entrepreneur Bernadette Recto, we embraced pilates and felt how important exercise was to mental health and well-being. We attended the island dinner of the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society, and reflected on our shared cultural heritage.
The exchange left us with a broader perspective on the challenges we face and the diversity of Canadians.