Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by congratulating you on your appointment.
I also want to thank the fine people of Boisbriand, Deux-Montagnes, Saint-Eustache and Rosemère for their support in the recent election. I am thankful to have once again been granted this privilege.
I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to my constituents for their support in the last election.
I am proud to stand before my constituents today following the 2025 Speech from the Throne, which lays out a path forward to a stronger, fairer and more united Canada. This speech is not simply a statement of intent; it is a commitment to the people of my riding about our shared future. While it came about at a time of global uncertainty, it offers hope. It lays out a clear path to a more just, resilient and united Canada. We need to put this vision into practice here, in our riding of Rivière-des-Mille-Îles.
What caught my attention in particular, as far as Rivière-des-Mille-Îles is concerned, is defending the French language and Quebec culture. In Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, we know that the French language is much more than a communication tool. It is the beating heart of our identity, of our nation. It is not just a language; it is a memory, a culture, a world view. Our government is committed to strengthening the Official Languages Act. I will ensure that this translates into concrete measures to protect French, increased funding for francophone institutions across the country and increased support wherever it is needed.
Our Quebec culture also deserves to be protected and celebrated. This requires clear support for our artists, our production companies and our festivals. It also means standing up for CBC/Radio-Canada, our public broadcaster, which plays a vital role in disseminating our culture, identity, diversity and history, and which works to counter misinformation.
I would like to point out to all my colleagues that, in the last federal election, Quebeckers elected 44 Liberal members, or 56% of the 78 Quebec MPs. The government will be there to defend Quebeckers' interests at the decision-making table.
Protecting women's rights is another issue that I want to highlight. In a world where women's rights are still being challenged and threatened, we must remain vigilant. Canada must remain a beacon. It needs to reaffirm its commitment to protecting these rights, and that means equitable access to health care, safety, education and employment. It also means taking concrete action against domestic violence, wage gaps and all forms of discrimination.
I would like to point out that our Liberal caucus is almost at parity, with 40% of our team of parliamentarians being women.