Mr. Speaker, the innovative communities fund focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in Atlantic Canadian communities.
There is an excellent example of that happening right now in the great riding of Charlottetown. Since 1981, our beloved Charlottetown farmers' market has been the city's go-to destination on a Saturday morning.
In politics, it is important to go out and meet people, and on Saturday mornings, there are lots of them at the market. All year long, over 65 vendors come to the market with the best local products, hospitality, cuisine, and arts and crafts Prince Edward Island has to offer. I think that says a lot.
The market is an essential driver for our economy, particularly for small business and agri-food entrepreneurs. This new investment will ensure that the market is able to not just survive, but to thrive as a place to buy local and meet neighbours.