Mr. Speaker, if one was flying over our region, it would be impossible to decide where to touch down: in the rugged mountains of Haute-Gaspésie, where cliffs plunge into the depths of the sea; amid the gentle waves of Baie-des-Chaleurs, where, nestled between the sea and the mountains, a happy people sing; at the breathtaking Percé Rock; on the vibrant Gaspé Coast; in the Gaspé adventure park; among our Mi'kmaq friends; on the stages of one of our many festivals to hear the best talent perform; on the banks of one of our exquisite rivers, such as the Matane, the Matapédia, the Nouvelle, the Cascapédia, the Bonaventure or the York; and the list goes on.
One could likely spend hours admiring this peninsula from above, soaking in the atmosphere from one area to the next. Ultimately, one quality supersedes all the rest: the Gaspé Peninsula is a land of freedom. On June 5, I would like to wish a happy Gaspé Day to all those who love my corner of the country.