Mr. Speaker, this Liberal government regards people living in rural areas as second-class citizens, leaving them to contend with inadequate cell service. Since the first day I was elected in 2019, I have been urging the government to make this issue a priority.
Mr. Morin, from Sainte‑Aurélie, wrote to me and said that, in the event of a fire or accident, emergency services cannot be reached on a cell phone. Repair people and merchants cannot receive calls and messages without leaving the area.
I am thinking of Mr. Plante, who nearly died in Saint‑Victor in 2021 because of poor cell coverage and Mr. Paradis, from Saint‑Isidore, who had a heart attack in 2022. The paramedics were unable to communicate with the hospital.
The government must force the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, or CRTC, to require telecommunications companies to develop a reliable cellular network throughout the regions. This is a matter of public safety. One call can save lives.
Will the government finally answer the call and respond to the heartfelt pleas from people in the regions?