Building and modernizing community infrastructure in Montréal

I am delighted to see you and I am very pleased to be here for this important announcement for the neighbourhood. But before I begin, speaking of exceptional women, I would like to first congratulate Jennie Carignan who grew up here in Quebec, who has been promoted to Chief of the Defence Staff. Throughout her career, her leadership, her commitment to excellence, and her dedication have been great assets to our armed force. She will help to make Canada stronger and safer.

Of course, I would also like the thank General Wayne Eyre, who is retiring, for his 40 years of distinguished leadership in military service.

I am very pleased to be here in Montréal today, in my riding of Papineau, to meet with families and to talk to people in the riding. Summertime in Montréal is a very active season, a very busy season, and it is always so nice to spend time here, and to listen to the concerns of Montrealers, and to talk about our plan to ensure fairness for every generation. Livable communities are communities with resources, places for people to gather, and organizations that are there to support people. Over the past few years, all across the country, we have invested in community infrastructure to ensure that our neighbourhoods can grow and that our cities are vibrant. But the work that the community does, day and night, has such an impact, and with population growth, there is an increasing need for facilities and places where these community organizations can serve people in these neighbourhoods.

So, today, I am proud to announce that the federal government will be investing over $33 million to support three projects here in Montréal. Yes, we can applaud that.

(Applause)

Today, I’m incredibly pleased to be announcing an investment of over $33 million to support three modern, accessible, and environmentally friendly community infrastructure projects right here, in Montréal.

The first project is the construction of the Park Extension Recreation and Community Centre. This building, which will be right beside us here, will include common areas, a gymnasium, offices for local organizations, meeting rooms, and a community kitchen. I can tell you, we have been talking about this project for years and the solutions that this project will provide to families around here. It has taken a lot of time and a lot of work by people in the community to get here, but the fact that this vision for the neighbourhood is taking shape today is extremely important for the riding. This community centre will be an inclusive space, a place for people to connect that is line with the people of Park Extension’s values of community living.

The second project is the construction of the Saint-Michel Community House. It will be a three-storey house to accommodate community organizations that meet the needs of residents of all ages and origins.

And the third project is the renovation of the future location of Afrique au féminin on Durocher Street. The building will be extended and a green roof will be added. These renovations will allow the organization to better carry out its mission to help women in the neighbourhood.

If we all want to build a stronger and fairer future for everyone, we need to invest in our communities, we need to invest in our people. That’s our vision.

We are building more housing faster, we are creating well-paying jobs for the middle class, we are helping to create more child care spaces, we are helping those without dental insurance to go to the dentist, we will make insulin free for those with diabetes, we will provide free contraceptives for women. Everything we are doing is to ensure fairness for every generation. We are here to work for that progress, we are here to ensure we are building an even stronger future for everyone.