Madam Speaker, it is with great humility and an even greater sense of duty that I rise today to deliver my maiden speech. I am honoured to represent the people of St. Boniface—St. Vital, a riding that is vibrant, diverse, creative and resilient, a place where French is a living heritage and where dozens of cultures, languages and histories converge to enrich our collective story.

I want to thank the voters of St. Boniface—St. Vital for putting their trust in me. They have entrusted me with an immense responsibility, and I will never take it for granted.

I would also like to thank my incredible campaign team and volunteers, who dedicated hundreds of hours to our campaign. I also want to thank my family and friends, without whom I could not have fathomed undertaking such an endeavour; they have been the wind in my sails, and their unwavering faith in my ability to do difficult things has helped me immeasurably.

I want to pay tribute to Dan Drummondville, who served St. Boniface—St. Vital with integrity, generosity and dedication for over a decade. Dan was a strong voice for francophones, for culture and for Manitoba and the Prairies. I am committed to continuing his work with the same passion.

Many have asked me why I got into politics. I did it out of duty, hope and love for my community. It is an immense privilege to be able to serve my community and bring its voice, hopes and concerns to the House. I believe it is time for the voices of women, artists, francophones, young people and newcomers to be at the heart of our democracy.

What I heard at the doors deeply moved me: sincere, urgent concerns, with people fearing that a strong Conservative government could undo the social, environmental and cultural gains, and parents who are anxious about their children's future. I heard seniors wanting to age in dignity and young people dreaming of a just, sustainable future where environmental protections, equity and opportunity go hand in hand. I am here to tell them that I heard them and that I am here for them.

Sometimes we get an especially touching message. A woman in my riding wrote to tell me that her daughter had exclaimed that I was their prime minister, and that she had had to explain that this was not exactly the case. This woman told me that I was having a very positive impact and that I was a strong, authentic female role model for the younger generation. I reread that message often, because politics is also about inspiring people, representing them and giving them a dream to work toward.

The recent Speech from the Throne paints a picture of Canada that matches what I saw on the ground throughout the election campaign. It is a picture of a country that wants to move forward together, without leaving anyone behind. I am especially pleased to see that culture, the francophonie and immigration are an important part of this vision.

Culture is everywhere in St. Boniface—St. Vital. It is in the murals in the French-speaking neighbourhood, which tell the story of the Red River Métis and francophone pioneers. It is in the Festival du Voyageur, an annual event that brings tens of thousands of visitors together to have fun, listen to music and experience the warmth of human connection despite the February cold. It is in the celebrations at gurdwaras and temples. It is in the hip-hop concerts, modern art exhibitions and theatres, which are living expressions of our spirit and creativity.

Cultural industries generate over $58 billion in GDP and nearly 700,000 jobs, yet artists and creative talents still face precarity. They deserve better.

I appreciate the commitment made to CBC/Radio-Canada. For francophones out west, Radio-Canada is more than just a media outlet; it is a common thread that unites generations, a lone voice in an English-dominated media landscape. It is also a tool for regional development, artistic dissemination and community cohesion. Above all, however, it is the cornerstone of the kind of free and independent press that is essential for our democracy to thrive. In a world where disinformation is gaining ground, protecting our public media institutions is more important than ever.

The francophonie is alive and well in our riding and co-exists alongside a cultural mosaic. In my riding, indigenous people and people representing communities from around the world enrich our social fabric.

Our strength lies in this diversity. A united Canada means that every person feels they belong and can contribute their best.

To develop this vision, we have to address barriers to labour mobility, especially for internationally trained immigrants. Francophone immigration remains a challenge, particularly in minority settings. We have doctors in our communities who are blocked from teaching or practising medicine.

Ginette Lavack

Transcript

Speech from the Throne

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