Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform the House that I will be sharing my time with my colleague from Compton—Stanstead.

First, I want to congratulate all members of the House of Commons on their election, and congratulate you on your appointment as Assistant Deputy Speaker.

As the member for Trois‑Rivières, I rise today with a deep sense of humility. I want to thank the people of Trois‑Rivières for putting their trust in me. I will live up to this responsibility and mandate. I commit to defending their priorities and aspirations.

Success is never a solo endeavour, so I would like to take a moment to thank all the volunteers who helped during the campaign. It is a long list, but I would like to give a nod to Mathis, Marianne, Pierre, Mikailou, Steven, Catherine, Claude, Eric, Jean‑Christophe, Reem, Audrey, Johanne, Dominic, Luc, Sylvie, Mo, Ginette and all the others who provided advice, funding and knowledge.

I also want to thank my colleagues in the Quebec caucus who came to lend a hand. It is no accident that the Quebec Liberal caucus now has 44 MPs in the House of Commons representing the interests of Quebeckers.

It is a team effort, and we will be a strong voice for Quebec in the House of Commons. Lastly, I owe my deepest gratitude to my family: my husband Danny, who has been managing two teenagers on his own for several months, and my children, Brave and Maya Lin. I could not have had the privilege of serving the people of Trois‑Rivières without the unconditional support that they have given me not just over the past few months, but also throughout my career.

Trois‑Rivières is in the Mauricie region, at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Saint Maurice rivers. No, there are not three rivers in Trois‑Rivières. It is a vibrant, bustling city that is deeply rooted in its traditions while looking toward the future. It is a capital of poetry and a cultural and historical hub that contributes to Quebec's heritage.

As a proud member of the Quebec nation, I am deeply attached to the French language, and I know that together, we are stronger. That is why I am delighted with our government's commitment to support Radio‑Canada, both in Quebec and in minority communities outside Quebec. It is an essential institution for ensuring the vitality of our identity and our language. Trois‑Rivières is a city that has risen from tragedy after tragedy and, thanks to the solidarity and determination of its residents, has reinvented itself as a cradle of innovation. I am proud to represent the city, and I am determined to contribute to its development in the House.

The Speech from the Throne, delivered by His Majesty King Charles III, lays out a vision of a united, resilient, and safer Canada with the strongest economy in the G7. It is a Canada that invests in its future, has bold ambitions and is ready to take its rightful place. That vision resonates strongly with the priorities in my region. People told me so again and again during the election campaign, and they spoke loud and clear on April 28.

During the election campaign and in the Speech from the Throne, our government promised to invest in nation-building projects to grow the Canadian economy. For Trois-Rivières, that means a high-speed train that will generate significant economic benefits and increase labour mobility. It is a once-in-a-generation project that will bring Canada into the 21st century. I hope we can work hand in hand with all members who feel committed to this project.

There is also talk of investments in the Port of Trois-Rivières, a mainstay for the region and a national and international logistics hub. Its expansion will continue to support small business growth and job creation for our workers. The Port of Trois-Rivières can play a role in diversifying our export markets and helping us to reduce our dependence on U.S. markets.

We are talking about major infrastructure but also about protecting our industries and our workers from the Trump administration's unfair tariffs. Trois‑Rivières is one of the most vulnerable Canadian cities in terms of the tariff war. Companies like Solucan and Germain & frère are directly affected by the tariffs and the uncertainty they are causing. Our government is committed to protecting jobs in sectors affected by the tariffs, such as the steel, aluminum and automotive sectors. Innovation et Développement économique Trois‑Rivières, or IDETR, a driver of local economic development, has set up an oversight committee to accurately measure the impact and ensure that businesses in the region know where to get the support they need. I am committed to supporting this initiative.

This collaborative, solutions-driven attitude is what keeps our city moving forward, supported by a vibrant and innovative ecosystem. In Trois‑Rivières, we are proud to have world-class research and technology transfer centres that are recognized in Canada and around the world as leaders in their field. Take, for example, the Quebec Metallurgy Center, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and is a partner of choice to major companies such as Pratt & Whitney and Bombardier. I am also thinking of the Innergex Chair for the production of green hydrogen at the Université du Québec à Trois‑Rivières and the Centre Innofibre at the CEGEP in Trois‑Rivières, leading partners in the Vallée de la transition énergétique, an innovation zone set up by the Government of Quebec with which we work closely.

These institutions embody the spirit of collaboration between academia and industry. They are pillars of our ability to advance applied science, attract investment in leading-edge sectors and decarbonize our heavy industries. Canadians know that the commitment of our government and the Prime Minister to green and renewable energy is a priority, and we will not slow down our actions in this area. Canadians know that the Liberal Party is the party that has put in place meaningful measures to protect the environment and fight climate change, and that the energy transition will require innovation and ingenuity.

At a time when our sovereignty is under threat, it is more important than ever that we invest in the defence sector to rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces, protect our vast land and bolster our military industry. The Mauricie region is ready to answer the call, with companies like Marmen, an industrial flagship that produces not only wind turbines, but also submarine parts and nuclear reactors. This company and many others in the region can play a leading role in defence and critical infrastructure projects. That is what it means to build a strong and sovereign Canada.

Our Liberal government knows very well that to build a prosperous future, we must ensure that no one is left behind. Providing access to affordable housing, day care and dental care and tackling homelessness are essential for reducing inequality. Some opposition members are using old-fashioned scare tactics to call that communism. We have a plan to make life more affordable for Canadians. It is a plan for right now, not promises to be fulfilled in four years. During the election campaign, I heard Canadians' concerns loud and clear, and I can say that they are pleased with our measure to lower taxes for the middle class. Around 22 million Canadians will benefit, including thousands of my constituents. Our commitment to continue investing and to redouble our efforts to address the housing crisis by building more social and affordable housing was greeted with relief by my constituents. This work must involve all levels of government.

In closing, we are at a crossroads. The rules have changed, and we need to adapt our game plan. We are committed to building the strongest economy in the G7, and we have everything we need to succeed. We will do it by promoting local businesses, local materials and homegrown labour. That is how we will build a strong Canada. We will build it by being focused, by holding firm to our convictions and by rolling up our sleeves and working together.

Caroline Desrochers