Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I offer my condolences to the family of Joyce Echaquan and the entire Manawan Atikamekw community. My thoughts go out to her seven children, who just lost their mother when she was only 37 years old.
While my heart is full of sadness, the rest of me is seething with rage. Racist, degrading, hateful and unacceptable comments were the last thing Ms. Echaquan heard before passing away in shocking circumstances. A serious independent inquiry and clear answers are needed. The Viens commission stopped in Joliette and heard testimony that was equally troubling. The AFNQL just presented its action plan to address systemic racism. Hundreds of people gathered in my riding yesterday to show solidarity with the family, the Atikamekw people, first nations and white people. From one nation to another, Motetan mamo.
This has to change. Justice must be done, and the system must change. This can never happen again. When I think of Joyce Echaquan's seven children, my heart breaks. Ni kackeriten. Justice for Joyce.